Do Tell.....How Old are Your Rescued Machines?
 

Please tell us just how old are your rescued machines?? Also, please include a picture if possible. I would like to find one to rescue that is a treadle.....I think that would be so cool.

I believe our oldest machine is the Singer 13 - IIRC it was from around 1884. Then the 28 from 1889. After that, not sure. We plan to catalog them all but have been too busy acquiring so far. There's a possibility that we'll get through this weekend without finding anything new (I just opted out on a parlor cabinet w/66 down by Chicago.). Pictures of most of the herd can be found on these threads:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...t-t200122.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ml#post5566680
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...e-t202494.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...ml#post5583043
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...t-t203112.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...d-t203618.html

Those are so cool! What a hobby you have....lol. Most of the older machines I come across don't even come close to looking that good. Is that how they looked when you bought them, or did you have to restore them to their natural beauty??

We haven't done anything beyond dusting some of them. Since the picture of the Damascus was taken I've oiled it up and also oiled the surface but I think I'm going to try Glenn's tutorial on restoring shellac on that one. I just double checked and it looks like 1884 for the 13 is currently our oldest, then the 1889 28, a 1899 27 and a 1901 27 (made in Montreal, surprisingly!)

I think the back-clamping 66-1 is from 1915. I have since found all of the little doo-dads that originally came in the fitted drawer.

The 3/4 size 28 treadle from around 1918 is very cute and I found a hemstitcher attachment for it - but I haven't used it except to play with. It has a complete set of doo-dads, too. I always like to make sure that my "gals" have their "stuff." :)

The 27 is from 1898, if I remember correctly - it is much more beautiful now, after a complete refurbishing. Sews like a champ.

WoW, those are also cool! I'm gonna have to go out thrifting soon.....lol.

I am new to collecting but my first machine is a Singer 99 made in 1928. I named her "Grace". I found her at the Good Will store while I was dropping off a bag of clothing. I was THRILLED when I saw her!![ATTACH=CONFIG]371295[/ATTACH]

My oldest machine is a 116 years old an is a 1896 Wilcox and Gibbs chain stitch. After that is my feather weight that is 60 years old. :)

I believe that the oldest rescuee is my Davis made Minnesota Mdl B, Minerva. She dates from 1902 to 1909.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...aFront_web.jpg
This was from a forum member who didn't want the machine, and neither did her friend who had it. There was a comment made that if nobody wanted it the machine would be tossed. I ... um couldn't let that happen, could I?

Then there is the Singer 66-4 Treadle #2. Allotment date is 9-23-24.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps3dd4ec91.jpg
This one came from GW here in Springfield. Had been electrified some eons ago but the motor was gone. The old wiring was bad so I pulled that off and restored her back to a treadle. This machine is one of the best treadles I have.

There have been others, but I don't have pictures of all of them on Photobucket.

Joe

They are all beautiful. I appreciate you sharing photos of them. If I ever rescue one, I will post.