~1886 Jones Serpentine Hand Machine
 

Also known as a "Cat back".

This machine is the one from the thread "these two beauties are on their way" but I think that a machine this nice deserves it's own thread...

This is one of the machines on my "want list" that I did not expect to find any time soon.

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I applied JB Quick to "glue" the foot in place and then used JB Weld to create a back support. It seems to be holding well.

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This machine has a very interesting underneath

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The shuttle feed moves in the same fashion as most machines move the needlebar

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Really pretty!

the machine is in really good shape, but still needs a good cleaning.

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It cracked me up when I saw a note that said "Bobbin in bubblewrap near needle" sure enough there was a small package tightly packed laying next to the needle, containing these "critical components" LOL

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here is what she looks like when I finished cleaning for the night.
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and she SEWS!!!!!!

Set the needle height and she picked up a stitch on the first try.

Since the bobbin thread is OLD and the spool as also Vintage (Talon seemed an appropriate brand) I figured i might get a wonkey stitch or two before the thread broke, but she just started stitching away!

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SteveH, What an absolutely gorgeous machine especially after your clean-up job! And it sews? Nice! I like the "cat back" name better than the "Serpentine" one .... that serpentine design looks like and makes me think "snake" and gives me a bit of a chill. It does look like the arched back of a cat so I'll stick with that. Wondering where you found that machine? No matter, you did good!

Craigslist out of Nashville.

I am calling her Sarff. It is welsh for Serpent

She is a beauty. Too bad about the leg but nice repair, you really can't see it in the pictures. Was it shipping damage?
Rodney

yep, the seller decide that his idea to use bubblewrap was a better one than my idea to use foam...

What a beauty! I am very envious. Enjoy.