Great Grandfather's Singer
 

I have a question about my great-grandfather's machine. This was his treadle, he was a professional tailor. It's currently in my grandmother's house, soon to come live with me (as soon as I arrange help). It's badged 31-15, what does the 31 part mean? From the serial number it's a 15 (G4881152). Hopefully a good cleaning and a new belt and I'm in business.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]441453[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]441454[/ATTACH]

It is a model 31, one of 5,000 allotted in September 1916.

Ah, now I see it. I was up in the 6 digit range instead of the 7's. I knew I had seen it before but I was having a brain fart. Thank you.

Not many 31-15's or industrial treadles have survived intact in original condition. Most have been converted to clutch motors during their lifetimes to modernize. Pretty uncommon and much desired (well, at least by myself).

Enjoy,
Jon

Agreed! that should be a family treasure for sure!

very nice! You will love that.

That machine would work great on quilts. Look at the room under the arch.

Joe

http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...mpany/p31.html

Well done. It's a wonderful and very useful heirloom.

What a beauty ,have never seen one like it.

Lovely machine...and it's an industrial , too...what a treasure.

I have no clue but what a treasure! it's a beauty!

Beautiful machine!

What fun to bring this machine back to life..... it's a beauty. Years ago I took lessons from a tailor and I remember thinking at the time, why didn't this old guy have a newer machine? He was making suits for some pretty famous people... He surely could afford a newer machine. Man, I was so young and stupid. The vintage singers have so much more power to stitch through layers of suiting and coat fabrics and some of the padding added was pretty thick. A newer machine would have balked. I don't have a machine like yours but I'm impressed every time I have a heavy item to sew.... my vintage machines can sew rings around the fancy expensive machine I bought several years ago. What a treasure for you.... enjoy.

I have a 31-15. I get to play with this this week (finally). First project: sewing up some tarps for outside use. The 31-15 should blow through the tarps with ease. :)

I have seen these set up as long-arm quilting machines also.

I'm very anxious to bring him home! All the accessories are in the drawer too. :)

I love it - you are so lucky!