ID help for an 1879 Singer please
 

Hi all. I just got a "new" machine. Ismacs dates it as 1879, but does not list a model. I am stumped. It seems to be to be like someone else's machine that was badged Singer. Under bed mechanisms don't seem to match Singer. The face plate is unusual and made of cast iron. Bobbin is rotary, but vertical with an over center locking pin. 3 slides ( 1 missing) ID number is on the far side of the pillar. SNMCO isn't on any part I can find. What strange creature do I have?

One more clue perhaps. The tension discs are pressed together like a Davis or a Wheeler-Wilson.

Presser bar was stuck upright. All working parts are smother now.

It's probably a Wheeler and Wilson No 9, not sure if any of the other models was made after Singer bought up the factory. Production was kept up at the W&W factor a few years after and machines were given the Singer logo.

aha, Thanks Mickey2. that makes a lot of sense. Another case for serial # lists not always being accurate.
Now I wonder if my W and W 9 slide and needle will fit. I know how to find out.

You have a Singer 9W or 9W7 which were made from roughly 1908-1913 in Bridgeport, Conn. No existing SN# records from Bridgeport factory. Singer bought out Wheeler & Wilson in late 1905. Your 9W uses the Featherweight bobbins. Needles are 127x1 which are not made anymore but available as new old stock. MY1014 industrial needle is a sub. The Singer 9W is very much like the W&W D9 except it has Singer decals and fits Singer cabinets. This is Singers first Rotary machine.

Jon

Very intersting information Jon. I didin't know the Featherweight bobbin was already in use before it was made (I know about the Sew Handy, but I have never seen one first hand). How is the connection between Singer model 115, 9W and W&W D9? I guess developments and improvments come gradually as a sort of interaction between people and companies, regardless of copyrights and ownership.

Thanks John. Great info to have. I'll have to post a shot of my two 9s together. Now of Babbage had created a data storage device we might have had a list from Connecticut I love the knowledge here.


GF has a FW. I might have to "borrow" a bobbin or two.

The D9 was the home machine W&W made before Singer took over.

Singer continued with the "D9" in late 1905 until c. 1908. Only noticeable difference between the two is Singer put their part numbers on some of the parts. Referred to as 9W1 in Singer catalogs for treadle model.

In c. 1908, Singer modified the D9 to fit Singer cabinets and had Singer decals. Referred to as 9W7 for treadle model.

In c. 1913, the 115 replaced the 9W7. The 115 is mechanically similar to the D9 and 9W7 but the appearance is like a Class 15.

I believe the 115 was replaced with the 101 in the 1920's, not quite certain.

Jon

I see, so a line of rotary models originating from W&W. I guess it leads to the 201, and I'm not sure which of the later models continued the rotary hook feature. I see why the 201 is seen as a high point in the evolution of machines, particularly since it's turned out to be my favorite ;- )

My husband recently found what he thought was a Singer 15. It is a 115. My thoughts were that the bobbin was some how related to my Phoenix. I find there is a relationship some how to Wheeler and Wilson, too.
Note the way thread travels through the bobbin. I am just showing the front. The thread enters on the side like a Singer 15. I thought it was broken at first. That bobbin path is not exactly the same as Wheeler and Wilson or Pheonix but for sure not Singer 15 so it threw me off. I really like the machine a lot.
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