Welcome Jo. That is a Class (or model) 24 machine which is a chain stitch machine. There were many different Class 24 machines made for domestic and industrial use per
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mac...sses-1-99.html and
http://needlebar.org/main/singer24/index.html and
https://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/24
I don't know where the serial number is on that type of machine, but you can look up the number to find when it was made at
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mac...-database.html
From what I have read, the hand wheel moves in a clockwise direction to make it sew. That is mentioned for a different class 24 machine at
Singer Industrial Machine Model #24 Question (posts #6 & #7).
A manual can be found at
https://www.singer.com/support (
https://res.cloudinary.com/singer-se...ng_Machine.pdf) There are also manuals at
https://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollec...0201/index.htm or
https://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollec...0201/index.htm You can click on the thumbnails to bring up the full page.
It looks like you will need a thread stand as the part above the hand wheel with holes in it, is probably a thread guide before going to the "manual tension."
This model of sewing machine uses what is known as a 24x1 needle.
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
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