Gladys

I found this sewing machine in my Great Aunts basement. It says Kenmore. It's model # is 117-959 and serial # is 426133.

It is so heavy and I don't have a clue about it. It looks rusty but it is covered with dust also not too rusty at all.

Was this used in factories or was it for personal use?

What in the world is the knob on the end for. Tried turning it and no luck.

Is it worth salvaging?

Any information, personal opinions, comments I will appreciate greatly! Thanks so very much!

Tartan

Cool machine! Hopefully someone can give you some info on it. It looks kind of spaceship like to me.

Gladys

LOL Thanks Tartan, I think of the Rocketman when I see this. You should see an old vacuum cleaner I found down here in this basement. It looks just like the backpack the Rocketman wore and heavy too.

Mitch's mom

It is a badged White built for sears. The knob on the end is the clutch used to disengage the sewing mechanism while you are winding a bobbin. The machine is straight stitch only. Do you have the cord and foot controller? They can be tricky to match up to the built in plug on the machine Clean it up, give it a good oiling where metal meets metal and see what happens. I believe it is cast iron. Don't hold me to that though. Candace might pop in and have a bit more info.

owlvamp

I think it is really neat. Great find and it really looks like it was made with cast iron. Can't wait to see what everyone says about this machine.

J Miller

Sew-Classic has the cord block and foot controllers if you don't have the original.

I would say yes it's worth refurbishing. If for no other reason that it belonged to your great aunt.

The hand wheel will probably rotate away from you, as in clockwise, all my White made machines do.

Joe

irishrose

You found one of the tanks!! Clean it up and use it.

Gladys

Thanks everyone for your help.
No have not found the cord or foot controller yet but I've got a LOT more stuff to go through. I think knowing my great aunt that they are here somewhere as she and my grandmother never threw anything away.

I found an ancient iron that she had saved the original box from and that's what it's been stored in all these years.

Gladys

I have a question, why does it say Kenmore right above the light in that little metal strip there. Did Kenmore make Whites?

Gladys

Here's where it says Kenmore maybe it only meant the light was Kenmore? Hope I do this right.

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