why the Damascus Rotary was retired
 

I think I figured out why the Damascus Rotary was retired. Bertha had it, died, gave it to daughter who never used it in 30 years, and left it to her granddaughter. Bobbin case looks a bit peculiar. I like the bobbin cover tilt. After I oiled it up, it will spin 8 revolutions with a hand spin. Chicago plugs for the motor. It came with three broken needles. Pretty sure it is a National badge, but not sure what needle it wants.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]600066[/ATTACH]

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Oh, yes tangle up thread, but it should have been sorted out with a basic clean up? Is the bobbin case correct and undamaged? Like with bkays thread on her misbehaving 401, a lot (!) of issues will work out fine after a thorough clean up and going over every little detail step by step. The Damaskus looks very nice though, 8 revolutions is the sign of a light running machinery :- )

She must have been a pretty girl in her younger days. Still is but a little worn. Must have been well used and loved.

Beautiful!

You are right in that it's made by National. "Damascus" was a badge Sears used, and there is both the regular Damascus (VS) and the Damascus Grand (Rotary) which then became Damascus Rotary. So you don't have the earliest version. I'd assume this is more likely to take the longer needle, however I know the later Damascus Rotary machines took the shorter needle.

Here is mine - a slightly different model.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psprcmzjgr.jpg

These are some gorgeous machines. Love the beautiful decals.

Wow, that's an early Rotary. I've never seen that Bobbin case before but it could be just early and not so common. If you clean it up it should fit right if correct. The needles are called "Eldredge Rotary" which is a short 20x1. Otherwise it should sew nicely with a little love.

Jon

It's sad so see a machine tell a story of frustration and disappointment that could have been avoided just by having someone nearby to teach the would-be sewist what to do. It sure is a pretty machine.

in this case, I know more of the story. Bertha used it successfully for many years. I suspect after the bobbin jammed and three needles were broken she decided to give up sewing. If she had had the ability still to clean the bobbin case, I bet she would have sewn longer.

I'll check and see if indeed the case is working correctly. but it will be a few days.

That machine is a real looker! And it has a story. I like machines with lives. I only know them for 2 1/2 out of my herd.

I'm waiting for you to find an uninteresting machine!
K