Quiltingboard Forums - Howe Model C - VERY rare, Roller foot, long arm treadle.

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- - Howe Model C - VERY rare, Roller foot, long arm treadle. (https://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage-antique-machine-enthusiasts-f22/howe-model-c-very-rare-roller-foot-long-arm-treadle-t231055.html)

Howe Model C - VERY rare, Roller foot, long arm treadle.

Hey folks,

Well, my Howe Model C just arrived! Two days early!! I had plans for last night but when this arrived, everything else just went out the window.

So, as I mentioned before, this is one of the rarest machines that I have come across. Even machines like the Singer Letter A show up for sale from time to time, but not one of these. I have been doing research for weeks and I cannot find a SINGLE photo of another. Not old photos, not current collections, not past sales, nothing. I can find woodcut drawings and ad's and articles about it, but no photos. (If this sounds like I am trying to get folks to prove me wrong, it is...)

Anyway, here is the Howe Model C as it arrived.

Here is the underside with the main drive removed for safer shipping
[ATTACH=CONFIG]438055[/ATTACH]

and with the drive wheel attached. (this bugger is heavy)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]438056[/ATTACH]

Assembling the treadle was a snap (I've done three other Howe treadles before)
(NOTE: the gold work still in the foot pedal)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]438058[/ATTACH]

and here she is in place, but before the cleanup
[ATTACH=CONFIG]438061[/ATTACH]

Wow!!!!!!!! Nice looking machine, I can't wait to see her after she's cleaned up, just don't drop her on your toes. LOL

Still before cleanup, but here is a cool sight...
Shuttles for a Howe C, B, A side by side
[ATTACH=CONFIG]438062[/ATTACH]

The view of the back
[ATTACH=CONFIG]438065[/ATTACH]

and the face
[ATTACH=CONFIG]438066[/ATTACH]

and after the first cleaning pass.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]438067[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]438068[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]438069[/ATTACH]

Wow!!!! Lucky you! Where did you find it?

I purchased this from Mike at Wolfegangs. The price is a secret... ;-)

In all of his years selling REALLY early machines, this is the only one he has ever seen.

He actually did not know what it was other than a "long arm Howe" until I showed him the research.

That roller foot is intriguing. A recent episode of Quilting Arts showed one very similar but only available for Berninas. It offered lots of possibilities for quilting.

Really cool machine, how old is it, or do you have any idea?