This would be an old all metal machine. I think most of them were made in England. I saw one today at the local thrift shop and wonder if anyone here has ever heard of them or have one.

I'm debating on going back and getting it in the morning. I did some research as soon as I got home on the internet.

Would appreciate some feedback.

Thanks.

I want to say first of all that I am partial to mechanical old Singer sewing machines. So my opinion is already tainted.

:lol:

I have a Singer treadle machine; a Singer handcrank that uses the shuttle; a Singer 66; a Singer 401 (my favorite); a Singer 403; and two featherweights.
All of them work.

I love the mechanical machines because many times, you can work on them yourself. Many of the machines manufactured before 1970 were made with metal gears so you don't have the gears breaking up into pieces. Many of my vintage machines will probably outlast my children. (There are some vintage machines Singers that I would not buy ...those are the ones like Touch and Sew that have the plastic gears).

I've never had a Spartan machine. I'm also on a forum that discusses the vintage machines. Many of the collectors of vintage machines do use their vintage machines for sewing. Several others on the forum are retired sewing machine shop owners.

The questions I would ask the forum is whether the machine makes a pretty stitch; is it easy to buy parts for it or to get it serviced; and what are the things I should check before buying it. I'm sure that some of them have the Spartan model.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vintagesingers/

Thank you so much! I'll check that out.

Spartans are great machines and if you wanted it go ahead and get it before someone else does.

Did you get a serial number off of it? If you did I can tell you what model and year it was built and how many were allotted for that run.

Billy

As long as it has it's parts ( bobbin case, foot controller, tension assembly)
I would grab it. It is a workhorse from what I have heard......

Keep your fingers crossed....I'll be there when it opens at 9AM in the morning! I'm excited!

Oh boy, if you get it please post a picture.

Oh you know it!

Well she was there waiting for me and let me tell you, she really got worked over yesterday afternoon. I called and asked if it was still there at 6pm and they said yes. However, when I got there this morning the wood base was gone that it was in and it was in the black base and a little wobbly sitting in that. That was not the case yesterday and I questioned the people there concerning that. Of course no one knew anything. Oh well she's mine now for $9.98 I could clean her up no problem and fix the base. I hooked her up and she ran smooth and quiet so I bought her and here's the picture. I also took her to my neighborhood Sewing machine mechanic and he said I got a good deal. He also told me it was a copy of a Singer Spartan and I told him no.....there's the proof.....made By Singer in Great Britian. He asked me where I got it and just shook his head........lol. He said I got a real good deal then....all was original on it.

So I am a happy camper this morning......and here's the pics. Just a little clean up and need to find some rubber stoppers for the base and she will be good as new.

The model number is EP960654......really wish I could find out when she was made.

Nice! I had fun yesterday reading some of the history of the Spartan.

Here is a link...scroll down to April 13, 1959.
http://www.google.com/archivesearch?...ed=0CCoQ5wIwCg

congratulations!! Enjoy it

Margie

That was fun to read, Kapatt....thanks for the link!

Thanks, Margie.....I know it will be fun to use and I have my granddaughter in mind for it so we can both sew together. She'll love it!

Your machine was built in 1960 at a factory in Clydebank, Scotland. It is either a 99K, 185K or 192K model, according to the Singer support page.

Thanks so much Mytwopals! This like havinging a brand new toy.....lol!

I have a spartan also,and I know it was made in canada,but I am not sure which is the serial number,there is a series od numbers on the side under the wheel

Does the series of numbers start with 2 letters and then numbers?

Its a 192K with only 50,000 machines allotted for all models that run in January 22 1960. All of those machines are 3/4 sized machines and all are very good machines to have. It a shame that it didnt come with a cabinet those are not the easiest to find.

But you did get a wonderful deal on your new machine and it looks really nice!!

This is a 185 that I am working on now, yes its a complete basket case and it took a cutting torch and a 3lb hammer to take it apart. But it will get a complete repaint and all new parts inside and will be just like a new machine before its over with.

Billy

Yes thats your serial number.

Spartan was the economy model for Singer, still the same quality as the Singers just badged as a Spartan.

Billy

Congratulations on your great find! I am glad you were able to get it! :lol:

Thanks everyone, for the comments. I'm thinking that I may just see if I can adapt it to a sewing cabinet that I have here that has no machine in it. Otherwise I will have to figure out a way to fix the base so that the machine doesn't wobble in it. There are some rubber stops on the inside of the base that are missing and am not sure where I'll find replacements for those. Otherwise it just needs a good cleaning.

I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning......isn't that silly?..LOL!

this are the numbers on the side
Cat NO RFJ 9-8
120A O,AC & DC
thats all I can find, on the inside of the throat is says made in great britiain
on the outside under the wheel it says made in canada,which I know were one in the same awhile ago

Ok what you have to do to get your serial number is place the machine on it's side and unscrew the base....remove it and you'll see the number at the top on a flat surface.

The numbers you are referencing right now are the part number for the motor.

You will also get an opportunity to clean that little sucker out too.... :D

Hope that helps,

Linda D.

thanks i will do that as soon as I get home from work

She is a beauty. What a great find. I'm glad she was still there for you.

You lucky duck! Want your money back?!

Well, that looks rough, but still so beautiful! So, you can still get all the guts for these machines? I have a broken part in my old treadle. My DH was trying to get it unstuck, and it broke.

Love your new machine.. and just LOVE the price you paid!! WOW!!!

That is so awesome. I'm glad it was still there when you went back. It was meant to be. Here's a toast to a lot of happy sewing on your new machine. :D :D :D

I was reading your other post in GCC hoping that it was still there :lol:
She is a beauty for sure!!! I bet you and your DGD have many wonderful memories while sewing together now :D :D :D

I have 11 sewing machines all but 3 are singers, old machines. I have 3 1928's, a red eye, 2 featherweights, a mending machine and a long arm mchine. I also have a Precision, which was given to me by a friend that owned a thrift store. I would go back quickly and buy that old machne for the new ones are plastic and won't last long. My featherweight is the only one that I sew on and I love it.

Regina

I have 11 sewing machines all but 3 are singers, old machines. I have 3 1928's, a red eye, 2 featherweights, a mending machine and a long arm mchine. I also have a Precision, which was given to me by a friend that owned a thrift store. I would go back quickly and buy that old machne for the new ones are plastic and won't last long. My featherweight is the only one that I sew on and I love it.

Regina

I believe this is basically the same machine I just made a post about. I think I may be able to get it. Wish me luck! I really need another machine for my collection! LOL! I will know in about a week. I haven't actually seen mine, yet, and I cannot make out all the numbers via pictures I've seen. I made out enough of the first two to know that it is a 1964 like it's supposed to be.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-46721-1.htm#1076045

You have to find them on eBay and sometimes the sewing repair shops will have parts for them that they have left over from a machine they parted out.

It takes some finessing but you can just about get any machine unstuck.


Billy

We will find it one of these days. We still have to finish my sewing room...maybe we'll start working on it again after that.

I had a Spartan that I found at a yard sale for $5. It was in great condition. I cleaned it up and gave it to a friend. I didn't know these machine existed -- the 3/4 size that is -- and today I found the cadallic of the 3/4 size machines! I found a Singer 99k in a walnut cabinet with all the attachments. It has a light, will wind a bobbin by itself -- you don't have to hold it down like the Spartan, and I have the orignial receipt dated December 12, 1956 for $153.40. I paid $10 for the whole thing -- it works great! I feel like it is Christmas!

Congratulations on your find!!!! $10 is always a good price for a machine no matter what it is!!

Billy

Wow, lucky you, great find!

I was curious and want to ask, I have a singer spartan old sewing machine with a cabinet. It need a real good cleaning due to it was sitting in a basement and belonged to my mother. It states singer spartan and made in Great Britian. I see no other numbers on it. I have someone who wants to buy it and I am willing to sell. It has a foot pedal but due to water this last april only the foot pedal got wet and rusted which would have to be cleaned. Can anyone give me what I should possibly ask for as a fair price. I won't keep it. I could not sew if my life depended on it. Thanks in advance

I found a Spartan at a garage sale. It was in great shape, no cabinet. I cleaned it up, bought a belt and gave it to a friend for what I had in it, which was all of $22.00! It runs great!

The Spartan is a striped down version of the Singer 99k. The Spartan is a Singer 99K, but it says Spartan, does not have a light, you have to hold the bobbin winder down to get a bobbin wound and it is very plain. They are work horses. They have a perfect stitch and will out last all of us. They are a 3/4 size machine. Singer was trying to save some money by making the little Spartan after the depression.

I later found the Singer 99k at a garage sale. It is much fancier than the Spartan, winds it's own bobbin, has a light, in a cabinet, etc., I won't sell that one. I paid $10.oo for the 3/4 size Singer 99k -- the cadillac of the Spartan.

I hope this helps.

Nancy

I wonder if the rubber stoppers you are referring to might be the same as the rubber feet that Featherweights have. Maybe if you do a search for places that sell Featherweight parts You could tell by looking at the pictures.