SteveH

Greetings folks,

I purchased this through Fleabay and it was another of those "pick-up only" ads. They had it listed for $350 and it did not sell so they re-listed. However before the first round ended, they offered it for a buy it now sale of $199. I missed that opportunity. When they re-listed it at the full price, I decided to ask them to offer the sale again. They complied by adding "make offer" to the listing. Since my DD was planning to be in Sacramento celebrating her 21st BDay last weekend, I made the offer and they took it.

I asked if there were any known issues with it, they said it is missing the slide plate, missing the bobbin & Shuttle, and it was frozen. Also that it rattled a bit when shook (??)

So, the Florence was made from 1860 to 1876. The Shuttle it uses is like NO other boat shuttle. it has a spring loaded cover that you have to thread it through. The bobbins are equally unique in that the ends are uneven in length. The shuttles can sell for almost as much as the machine, so I was hesitant to buy it. A supplier I work with let me know he had a broken shuttle that I was welcome to try to fix, so I decided to go for it.

When this beauty arrived, I was SO excited. It is not often you can find a machine with HAND PAINTED designs that are in almost 100% intact condition!

I set the irons up, screwed the table to the irons and unpacked the machine.

Sure enough, the machine rattled a bit when I moved it. I turned the machine upside down to see what was loose (assuming) I have NEVER been so happy to find the source of a sewing machine problem.....

The rattle and the jam were the same problem. The ORIGINAL shuttle and bobbin had fallen into the mechanism and jammed it!!!!!

Three fixes, one action!!!!

so, without further babbling....

The irons a LOT like the early Wheeler & Wilson's. Except the big flat spot on the outer edge of the balance wheel
[ATTACH=CONFIG]482214[/ATTACH]

Here are all of the bits that arrived. on the right you can see the dress guard and the anti-backspin device. (Makes sure it only turns in one direction)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]482215[/ATTACH]

Here she is from the back point of view showing the tension and flat belt drive wheel
[ATTACH=CONFIG]482216[/ATTACH]

SteveH

and here is the shuttle & bobbin that is so rare...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]482217[/ATTACH]

the painting is amazing...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]482218[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]482219[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]482220[/ATTACH]

SteveH

I have never seen such a pretty drawer inside....
[ATTACH=CONFIG]482221[/ATTACH]

Here she is with the needle plate removed, and the shuttle where it belongs. I suspect the issue is that to put the shuttle in properly you have to put it under the little cover (shown with a fingernail groove) it is spring loaded and needed cleaning before it would move out of the way.



[ATTACH=CONFIG]482222[/ATTACH]

her she is at the other end of the travel
[ATTACH=CONFIG]482223[/ATTACH]

SteveH

After some cleaning this is the bobbin winder in the "not engaged" position. (missing the rubber wheel)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]482224[/ATTACH]

here it is in the "engaged" position
[ATTACH=CONFIG]482226[/ATTACH]

and here she is with a W&W curved needle installed. (It will not work because the W&W curved needles have the long groove on the wrong side. I am still looking for a Florence needle. (Yes, she sews RIGHT to LEFT)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]482229[/ATTACH]

Last shot here she is with the bonnet in place. (I'd LOVE to be able to get the black marks out...)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]482232[/ATTACH]

J Miller

That is one beautiful machine. Good thing about the shuttle and bobbin, I love it when things work out.

Joe

Candace

That's a lovely machine.

JudyTheSewer

She's a beaut! Congratulations. Will you be able to date her to a particular year?

SteveH

1870 is the year of production for this machine

I also forgot to mention, the flat on the balance wheel is what the bobbin winder runs on, through the table... Too cool.

JudyTheSewer

Oops! You clearly stated the date in the title of the thread

SteveH

I am having a hard time finding needles for this one. I am even considering taking one of my curved Wheeler & Wilson Needles, annealing the spring out, reversing the bend, then re-tempering it.