I picked this up from an estate sale today. I know nothing about machines, but I thought it was pretty. It needs a belt.

Can anyone offer any help or information?

dont know anything about these either but nice find!

Looks like a Singer- even the bobbins look like them.

don'y know anything about it but nice machine
have you googled it and see what came up?

Here's the serial number: S2754461

Is it a full size machine or smaller. Your right it very good looking :D

Cele, your machine was made by the National Sewing Machine Co.

Ill see what I can find for dates..

They were sold mostly though department stores... like Montgomery Wards, Sears,, etc

It's a full size machine. I believe it is cast iron. Very heavy.

OK Chele, keep in mind that I am NOT the expert on this, but

it seems that your machine was made by the National Sewing Machine Co. in Ill, which closed their doors in 1953..

So I think that you can assume it is at least that old.. and it looks like the machines of that era.

I think probably somewhere between 1924 and 1953.. Not much on this company.. I know that I have one other book, but I cant locate it right this moment.. Ill keep looking..

Oh, thank you so much for researching for me! :D The machine is getting all kinds of looks and inquiries here at home. I was impressed my husband sat down and tried to figure out how everything works. He said he wants to redo all the electrical. It is kind of scary looking! None of the cords have insulation, or grounded plugs. I didn't get shocked when I plugged it in!

It may be older, it is the same one that made clocks and bikes, take a look at this http://books.google.com/books?id=GtI...um=1&ct=result

Elgin Favorite-(M) Elgin Sewing Machine Company, Elgin IL, 1896-1898

That is a wonderful looking machine. Though I do not know how to sew, I would like to get a treadle some day.

Just look at the craftsman ship, the heavy iron/metal, the base decoration, the curves....

I must have been born at the wrong time I think. I really appreciate older stuff.

I got a machine one time free that needed a belt, I put a thick elastic band on it, and it worked for years. Now I'm not suggesting that it's a smart thing to do, but you might be able to find out if it works that way.

I think its 50s. It is a class 15 clone. I have one as well, although its a Riccar that is 3-5 years younger. Millions literally of these(not nessicarily the same brand) were made after WWII.
Just thought I'd let you know

Interesting reading what comes through on searches, I made and came through with the Elgin Sewing Machine & Bicycle Company, and look what great history pages they have....not sure that any of it's relevant, but interesting just the same.
http://www.elginhistory.com/eaah/eaah-ch06.htm
looks like a few people have Elgins
http://antiquesandthearts.com/%5C/fo...var=280&var2=2

Here's a good article, and if you scroll down you can click on the Free Elgin Sewing Machine picture, wonder if that will help you out?
http://www.geocities.com/claw.geo/free.html

I saw this one too, but this is a different machine/different company.. "The Elgin" was made by the Free Sewing Machine Co. of Rockford, Ill which became the Free Sewing Machine Co. of Los Angeles Ca, in 1958 and in 1960 was bought by the Janome Company of Japan.

Before this, Elgin was made by the National Sewing Machine Co. , Belvidere, Ill, which was merged with Free as a wholly owned subsidiary on Sep 1 1953.

National produced their first electric machine in 1917. I dont think this one is that old.. so, I still think after 1924.. really doesnt look that old either.. to 1953..

Im thinking 40 - 50. Still a very nice machine

I have a question Chele,, what does it say on the little medalion plate on the front of the machine? You know what Im talking about.. it is on the right front of the maching..

I can see that it says Elgin.. does it say anything else?

See if you can find a patent date or a city or origin anywhere on the machine..

sorry can't help you.... good luck

The bronze? plate is engraved: Washington, D.C.; Elgin; Made in Japan. On the top of the machine it reads: The Elgin Sewing Machine Co.

I can't find any other markings on the machine itself. The motor has a model number, but I have a feeling the motor and foot pedal are not original.

chele, The silver disc on the back is for servicing the machine. you can release the disc and oil the moving parts, anywhere that 2 pieces meet and move. You can pick up a belt at Joanns on the notions wall or go to a good sewing machine dealer for a complete rehab. If you do this yourself, DO NOT use any heavy duty cleaners on the outside of the machine. Try a little Dawn in a bowl of water and a wrung out rag or paper towel, and wipe down the machine. then dry off. If you use chemicals, they will remove the pretty paint. So glad that you found such a little gem.

The Silver thingy you can take of and put on a add on Light which you can get used or buy at several online sewing machine parts places. It is very like an Old Singer or round here we call em PickyMaMa's. Real fun to have and Play with. Enjoy you're new Toy!!! I wish mine was gonna be that easy. Mine is a Yamata and is still a Problem Child!!!

Oh I shouldve said it Is a Place to service{Oil} the machine and also after you add on a light you can put back the silver thingy. I've done this before not on the Elgin brand but it's Basic Stuff. Happy Dance!!!

Here are a couple of websites that sell parts for vintage machines. I ordered a belt for my cousin's treadle a few years ago.

http://sewingmachine221sale.bizland....re/page90.html

If the machine has a belt, you can take it off and measure it to order from this website:

http://www.tandtrepair.com/Motor_Belts.html

Most of these old machines had very standardized parts, so you shouldn't have any difficulty fitting a new belt.

Just read some of the other posts; I didn't know JoAnn's carries belts!

Whenever I get an old machine, I oil all moving parts. Just one or two drops at each location is enough. Be sure to use sewing machine oil; other types are not fine enough.

All of the holes in the top of the machine are likely to be oiling holes. Plus, as others have mentioned, you can unscrew the silver plates in the back and on the left side to oil more moving parts. Check the bottom of the machine, because those parts need to be oiled too (remove bottom cover if it has one). Also remove the bobbin case and shuttle race; I wipe a film of oil on the outside of the shuttle race. If you can see a small red piece of felt in that lower bobbin area, put a drop or two of oil on it. Do not remove the felt! It is there intentionally to hold oil.

HTH!

Picked up a portable machine at a thrift store yesterday.
It looks a bit like the Singer Ultralight, but it is labeled as "Macy's Own Herald" The plate reads Precision Built Made In Japan
s/n # is 05615294 Any ideas if it is common or rare?
THANKS!

Beautiful machine!

I think there were a lot of Singer-type machines made in Japan which were then "badged" with different names. The machine itself is probably fairly common, but the badge could be rare. I don't know that anyone collects badges for sewing machines, though, so I doubt it has any collector's value. You might set up a year-long search at eBay with keywords to see if any turn up there. Also, you can do a search of completed items on eBay to see if any have sold there within the last 1 to 3 months (I think that's all the history they keep). An actual selling price is a much better indication of value than an asking price. Many people think any aged sewing machine is valuable, but that is not the case because there was such high production of many models.

Looks exactly like the one we just bought for $25. It has been sitting out in the weather and is a little rusty. Hubby plans to
refinish it for me. The cabinet is bad, but he does woodwork, maybe he can work a tiny miracle with it.