Id Vintage Sewing Machine 1897
 

Hi! New here looking for help id'ing Grandma's sewing machine. Only marking I can find is on bobbin plate "Patented June 29, 1897. Here are some photos

It's a beautiful machine, hope you figure out what it is.

Try turning out the lights and shinning an ultra violet light on the sewing machine. In your photo I can just see the ghost of what was painted across the top. A u/v light might make it visible.

An educated guess on my part, but it appears to be a "New Royal" Model A sewing machine manufactured by the Illinois Sewing Machine Company, circa 1915, but I could be wrong...

I agree mostly with Steelsewing about being a "New Royal" but I think the "A" had a leaf tension on top. I believe it may be a "B" or possibly "SB."

The patent date just indicates the oldest it could be. I don't remember for how long patents were for during that time, but I believe it could be as long as 17 years, which would bring it close to Steelsewing's estimate.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

ETA: I did just see the "A" on ebay that did not have the leaf tension. I was going by needlebar about "Illinois Sewing Machine Company."

ETA: I also saw that "New Royal A" was a badge name for "Free"

You may know already that it is a vibrating shuttle machine. It should have a shuttle and bobbins to go into it like this under the front slide. If you don't see the shuttle, turn the hand wheel a bit and see if it apperars.
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Very nice looking machine My sister has one that looks just like this and her's in early 1900's Her's is the "New Royal SB" The detail on the exterior casing table and tredal are the same.

Try taking a flash picture of it. I took one of my old Singer and found a decal there which I couldn't see before.

Thank you both for these hints. I hadn't heard either of them, and can't wait to use them! I actually have an ultraviolet flashlight so I can do this, lol.

Thank you so much everyone! I just saw your responses today. (I guess you have to log in to see them where many blogs email you when there is a response.) :)