ruby2shoes

I have seen a Gritzner handcrank, badged, Katz Brothers Ltd. Singapore/Penang, serial number 371673 in a local Op shop. Can anyone tell me anything about these machines? I am presuming that the Katz Brothers operated out of Singapore and maybe imported the machines from Germany perhaps??? The shop is asking $250.00 for it (insert here lower jaw scraping on ground) and I'd like a bit of knowledge behind my bargaining approach! I took photos but can't load them onto the 'puter for some reason or other . It is in reasonable nick with some loss to the decals. The shuttle and bobbin are there and it turns very easily. The wooden base and case top are in good condition and there are some attachments in the accessory box. Can anyone tell me where I can look up the serial number as my search on the 'net has come up fruitless and maybe give me a rough idea on what price I should expect to pay...ball park? Thanks all.

vmaniqui

picture will really be helpful.

ruby2shoes

Yay, got the photos to upload! The top of the box has some lovely inlaid work on it...thought I had a picture of that...oh well....

GreyQ

That is a beautiful machine!! I can see why you are tempted.

SteveH

Nice machine.

Gritzner's are very high quality German machines. The "badge" is actually from the importers. My Frister & Rossmann's like this have one from 2 different London importes. I have not seen a Singapore importer badge before, that's cool!

It looks to be from the 1910-1930 era. They have serial numbers like Singers in a similar location.

While I am a hard core "American Made" kinda guy, I have to admit that my German machines are the best machines to work with in my collection. Especially my F&R Modle E which is very similar to this one but with full reverse capability.

Pricewise, this one is reasonable. Not a "good deal" Not TOO overpriced. I'd try to get them down to $150 by offering $100 with cash in hand first.

Rodney

I can't help you but that is a pretty machine. I can see why you like it.
Rodney

mighty

I have a Gritzner handcrank machine. It is a very nice machine.

ruby2shoes

Thanks all.....will call back there today if I have time on the way to work and see if I can soften them a bit. There doesn't seem to be any like it on ebay over here in Australia...just a couple of plain-er ones going for $30-$125 AUS. Might print out the ads to use for leverage.

ruby2shoes

Ah dear, went back to the thrift shop today and alas, I fear every person in a 2 km vicinity of the shop has been in and had a "go" at turning the handcrank...every which way and then some! The result is that now the needle and bar are jammed tight right down and the poor shuttle is wrapped in a cocoon of tangled thread. Goodness knows whether the shuttle has been scratched or burred by the needle now...no way to tell. They won't reduce the price despite the poor thing now being in a worse state so I'm walking away from it...feel really sad for the poor machine....sort of like watching a puppy being mistreated by an idiot neighbour!

SteveH

just so you know... Thread is not permanent.. I'd say the machine being locked up is now "protected" from more idiots... I'd be all over that machine is I did not already have three transverse machines...