Not all Vikings are Husqqvarnas (National N50)
 

Bad enough to break my NY resolution re buying machines, or the one about leaping before looking, but I'm mad at ??

This is the "Viking National N50" I just bought on ebay. It wasn't in the vintage/antique section, so I searched for info, couldn't find any, thought it did look like it could fit in between my Viking Imperial 15 and the 21, offered $75 (55 shipping), accepted, and I paid.

Then, a little more searching and I discovered it's a "National N-50" with a silly Viking ship on the front (apparently that's the model name, because of the aluminum). I have way too many sewing machines, and though I just joined I've been reading for months and feel like you all are the only people who understand.

I feel like a total idiot.

Educations often have a price. I have bought foot pedals, manuals, and sewing machine accessories on eBay, but never a sewing machine. I do understand not fully researching a sewing machine before purchasing it, though. Sometimes we have to act quickly or the opportunity is gone, so we choose to take a risk. Don’t kick yourself too hard. It’s a great story and a good lesson for any of us who constantly look at sewing machines for sale.

I think you will find the same machine badged Montgomery Ward, New Home, Compac (might also be mistakenly spelled Compaq) and maybe National? One, that I saw, included NSMCO on the label. Some links about these machines can be found at:
http://elna-grasshopper.com/index.ph...ortman-model-j
https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...a-t202608.html
https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintag...s-t253160.html
https://firealarmtrainingcoursesolim.wordpress.com/
https://www.quiltingboard.com/7416959-post268.html

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
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One of my oldest friends has always said, "Educations are expensive". They're more expensive if somebody (like me, say) doesn't learn enough to avoid doing it again.

My resolution last year was not to buy or offer until I had AT LEAST searched Google by model name, with handy right mouse click making no excuse for skipping).

I've kept that, but this time no info came up for "Viking National", per listing; I didn't realize I should have been looking for "National Viking".

It's my fault that I didn't look at the picture of the manufacturer plate before offering. The only info I later found was per National and N50. I discovered that the company made machines labeled by dozens of department stores, ag coops, feed depots, etc. There are some real fans of the way Nationals sew (other models).

I haven't decided to see if the seller will refund; or add to the destash shelf; or polish it up and try selling on etsy as "Art Deco beauty" (the pedal is wild); or put it on the 3/4 shelf with the 221, Babylock in a Basket, Elna Lotus (my favorite).

Our Workbench, thanks for the links! It does look kind of like a Grasshopper, but a little rounder and I guess smaller.

Oh, I forgot to say, that Portman was the manufacturer?! Evidently, they also put one out that had a badge on the pillar with Portman Sewing Machine Company as spoken about in the first link. It looks like National Viking should be included with "Montgomery Ward, New Home, Compac (might also be mistakenly spelled Compaq)."

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Janey,

ISMACS didn't even list Portman! I did find a reference on some machine collecting blog to National's late 1930s aluminum lost cause (the featherweight consuming its intended market, after WWII)...From the pictures, it looks as if the tiny free arm is curved and pointed.

I just figured out what it reminds me of -- maybe somebody with an Airstream trailer would want a sewing machine that looks like an accessory.

As far as I know, Husqvarnas first freearm model was a zigzagger suspiciously close to the early Bernina 125. Both introduced shortly after WWII, the only obvious difference appart from the logo, is the green finish of the Husqvarna versus Bernina's cream. There was a green Bernina 125 too, but less common. I have never seen a freearm straight stitcher from neither Husqvarna nor Bernina close to these early freearms.

I think the first Husqvarna freearm model were made in Sweden, at the time both Sweden and Switzerland had an advantage when it came to production machinery, since they were less affected by the war effort. I'm not entirely sure on this point. The models are so simililar there has to be some kind of collaboration or licensing with Bernina. These are relatively small machines and somewhat similar to the Elna Grasshopper, but because of the build and zigzag feature they can't as easily be confused with the straight stitchers only. If you look at other early German makers of this era you can find a few freearm straight stitch only machines pretty close to the US made models.

A bit into the 50s came Husqvarna (Viking/Nordic) model 19, 20 and 21, stronger machines with a few more stitch patterns as well as a new bobbin case, hook and race. They have a different gloss to the paint. There were a straight stitch freearm model in line with the new design of these models, but it's not common at all.

I think you have a keeper, even if it isn't what you wanted. There are those who actively look for those.

That was probably what I was thinking of...I think I saw one about 20 years ago,

I got an Imperial 15 several years ago...it's early 50s and amazing. On a table, separate Consew motor, and zig zag. I don't know if all 15s were "industrial" machines, or if it's the Imperial bit that counted. I am its second owner after the first one used it fo rabout 50 years making stuffed animals to sell at state fairs.

It is bluish.

For a surrealistic photo -- "12 Husqvarnas and a Viking". I'd be in back with my Husqvarna chain saw (really) and my orange Husqvarna forester helmet.

grennan, when I envision that dramatic scene, your Husqvarna helmet is donning Viking horns.



(But, I have heard Vikings may not have really worn horns.)