Fingers crossed , Wilcox and Gibbs
 

With a bit of luck I may bring home a Wilcox and Gibbs today. patent date 1871. Haven't seen it yet. Are there good pics of the glass tension adjustment around somewhere? Are the frequently missing parts I need to watch out for? Probably was a treadle, but no power supply at all. Current owner is clueles.
Anything else I should know? Thanks.

did you see a picture, even ones made in 1940's have the 1871 patent date on them. Confuses a lot of sellers.

Patent dates are just that. Dates they received the patent. They aren't production dates.

I'm looking forward to seeing pics. :o

I've seen a pic, but nothing really useful. at least to me.

Here's a video showing them on the machine, but not in use. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvrcZaLtRIc

If you know it's got a glass tension, then you know it's OLD. However if you assumed it would have a glass tension because of the patent date, you may find it has the newer automatic tension and then you don't need to worry about setting it. Only they very oldest of the machines have the glass tension, they are quite rare.

So, what happened? Did you get it?
bkay

I've been wondering too!

A lot of W&G machines had motors that aren't attached to the machine, but sit behind it and have a friction drive.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psi15gxks4.jpg

The machine is held to the base with a big screw from the underside, so it's very easy to remove the machine.

Even though it was sold as an electric machine, it does have the belt grove so it could be used other ways.

Most of the handcranks used a belt, but I think I've seen a few direct drive units. I had the wheel, and DH fabricated the bracket for me. It seems the original bracket got broke often, so they are quite hard to find.

This is a different machine, it came in a hand made box with a motor mounted in back with a belt for drive.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psx8b2b6jb.jpg

[ATTACH=CONFIG]572769[/ATTACH] I snagged it. It does not have the glass tension. The A prefix, and the serial # appear to be prior to 1890. It had rested on a fireplace mantle for the last 30 years. It was gummy at first but she is moving a lot easier now. I was quite surprised to fine what looks like a Victrola needle in the needle bar. Ok, It was pointy. but it didn't even have a hole and was way too short. Needles are ordered. More pica on another camera. I took it to a family reunion this weekend. Bkay, Susan was there and enjoyed it. Thanks for all you responses. Not sure what I'll use for power yet. It will NOT go to handcrank demos with hundreds of children, but living history days may see it get some exercise. No thumbscrew for mounting it in a base. Not a big thing. More pics as I get it oiled and cleaned a bit more.

Dang it, pics, not pica. Just came out of a meeting talking about pica behavior.