1954 Montgomery Ward sewing machine
 

My mother recently passed away and I'm cleaning out one of her closets. I found her Montgomery Ward
sewing machine (185A) in the original cabinet/table. Instead of a foot control, it has a knee control. I even found the instruction manual along with the attachments - she had written 1954 on the manual so I assume that is when it was purchased. It all looks in great condition.

Also found all kinds of old patterns, wooden spools, binding, etc. and some stuff I don't even know what it is!

Is a 1954 sewing machine considered antique and does it have any value?

If it's antique- so am I!!! My father worked a second job at Montgomery Wards for many years, and I was born in '54. I learned on a knee lever machine which my sister now has. Probably from MW! Could you post a pic? Thanks for the memories.

I love the older machines with the knee control. Try it , I think you will like it! It of course has value .. to the right buyer, and the right price. Many of these "sort of vintage" machines are gaining in popularity as they still had the ALL METAL parts. A plus ,from my view point, is these old knee control machines are cabinet mounted... giving a larger working space without having to buy a seperate cabinet.

I tried to upload a picture but it failed - 5 times. Not sure what the problem is. I'll try again tomorrow!

Not antique, but vintage. I'll be watching for a picture. I am thinking about making an offer on a shiny black MW machine and I'd like to see if yours is similar.

I just checked online and it's the same machine. One sold this week for $16 on shopgoodwill, but I think it was in a case, not a cabinet.

try making pic smaller, that may be your problem

I was able to attach a smaller picture this morning. Hope you can open it!

It looks like its in great condition , have you used it?

If I where you and I sewed and it worked I'd keep it.

You have a GREAT 15 Clone! :) Excellent shape, pretty machine! It's got more sentimental value than real value, but if the cabinet looks as good as the machine, you could probably value it at $125.00 or thereabouts.

I haven't used it since I was a little girl. But in the next couple of weeks, I'm going to give it a try and see if it still sews as smooth as it did when I was little!

First, welcome to the board from Minnesota. I'm sorry for the loss of your Mother. Cleaning things out can be difficult. The machine in your post is beautiful, I hope you happy memories of sewing on her.

I wish I looked as little used as that at that age. What a wonderful treasure.

What a beautiful machine, hang on to it and sew with it, it is a treasure.

Your Mother's machine is a wonderful machine for FMQ(free motion quilting). You'll think of her when you sew with her machine.
I'm sorry to hear that your Mother passed away.

she must of taken excellent care of it looks in great shape

MW Model URR185-B nearly identical to a Singer 15
 

I just bought an Pristine Montgomery Ward portable model URR 185-B, but didn't get an Owners Manual with it, I do have an original manual for a Singer 15, wouldn't the manual work as far as threading, oiling etc. for my MW machine? I have a Singer model 15-92 and they look nearly identical except the Singer has a potted motor. Also do you know if the MW will hold up as well as the Singer? And will any parts for the Singer fit the MW? Please advise if you read this.:)

Duane Hampton

HELLO, I JUST ACQUIRED A MODEL URR185, BUT DON'T HAVE THE OWNERS BOOK, WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO COPY IT, AND EMAIL ME A COPY, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PAY YOU FOR YOUR EFFORT , MAIL YOU A CHECK FIRST OR WHAT EVER. I have posted another person on here about using a Singer 15 manual, but would prefer a MW manual, Please advise, Duane Hampton

I have a MW URR-188 that is very similar, though mine is in a carrying case.

Threading is different on the MW than it is on the 15-91, though the oiling points might be similar.

acm,

I have one of my mothers two sewing machines. The one I have is her HOTHER ( my avatar pic ), it is very close to your mothers MW. There might be some financial value to it as it's an excellent machine. But I couldn't care less about that as to me since it was my mothers it's priceless. Gather up all it's parts, oil it good, I recommend Tri-Flow oil, and use it. You'll be surprised at how good these old machines worked.

Joe

I just picked this up for $12. No bobbin case, will need a foot pedal but she was going to spray paint it!

The 1960s New Home (552?) was too far gone and the Domestic was a monster with brown crinkle finish. On the shelves were two wonderful machines spray painted bright green and one was purple. I mean every possible surface was painted, along with the bobbin cases in place. I nearly cried. One I'm sure was a Pfaff.

It wouldn't turn till oil soaked in awhile but now everything is working. Don't know about the motor. The itty bitty rivets on the column are rosebuds while the face plate is stiated with four leaf clovers which are also on the round light plate on the back. The serial number is H259511. Where do I look to date it?

I was just swearing of any more machines this morning. DH kept saying, Your nose is getting longer. Does he know me or what?

Duane, I don't have a manual, but it's a pretty straight forward threading machine. I've heard the needle on 15s thread from the right - this one is definitely from the left. Parts?? I don't know, but as far as accessories, yes, they are interchangeable. Almost any short shank ones will fit. There's no reason the clone won't hold up as well as the 15 - I've also heard they made be better made, but I have no 15 for comparison.

When I turned it upside down there was HAPPY stamped on the rods and cast iron underneath.

That's an absolute beauty!!!

Yep. Mine is that way as well.