Does this Singer 15 have reverse?
 

I was wondering if anyone knows if this machine has reverse or is that just a stitch length adjuster?

Thanks

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I have done some research, I believe the answer is "no", there is no reverse on this one.

You turn the fabric ;- ) I think the reverse lever was introduced sometime in the 1920s. By then decals were much simpler, and I doubt there are any model 15 with reverse lever and Egyptian decals. How old is your machine?

The one I have does not have reverse. It could be a kick butt treadle. That hand wheel is extra deep. If you want you can convert it back to a treadle by putting on one of the heavy hand wheels but you may lose your bobbin winder. You could use a sidewinder. I'm thinking yours was converted to electric by changing out the hand wheel and putting on a motor. But who knows, I'm surprised to see a motor mount. Some have improvised the motor attachment rigs. Do you know what year that machine was made?

There is one Singer 15 with the Egyptian decals and reverse. The newer ones Singer had made in Asia in the 1970s or 80s. Not near as nice as that machine.
That machine is in great shape. The Egyptian decals on the originals are usually in worse condition. If the price is any sort of affordable I'd get it.
Rodney

From my research I believe it to be a 15sv10, probably made in the early 40's. Not sure why they would skip reverse on it.

When this world was less hurry up, I sewed on machines without reverse and never thought about not having a reverse function or a needle up/down function. We just manually turned the handwheel to put the needle down in the fabric and turned the item to stitch back over a just sewn line or in a different direction. These days, I want those functions at the touch of a button. We never would have imagined that someday those old machines would be sought after and prized.

I have seen later model 15s with out the reverse lever, one dated to 1950. The later ones usually have the reverse lever. Singers around here are almost all made at the Kilbowie factory in Scotland, with the odd exception, not often at all. This is the first US example with a later production date.

Ugg, reverse is always a thick place in the seam.......much nicer to tie the threads in a nice neat square knot.

ok, yes I am very old.

There is a video on youtube on how a Dior jacket is made these days, they finish of the seams by tying the ends of the threads, no backtack or anything like that. It's not the only video showing this either. I think it's a technique used with modern machines too, for those who go for something better than quickest and easiest.