No mail but USP Showed up with Silver 15-91
 

Opps! that should say "UPS"

This machine is in very nice condition!

Except that the seller shipped it on it's side (though very well packed) and that would have been OK but it was resting on the Bakelite fixture. I'll be looking for a new light fixture and contacted the seller about it. No way am I sending the machine back though, it's one of the nicest 15's I've come across - and it's a Silver one too!

It didn't come with a foot control or wires, but that is no big deal. DH is sure he can make it run, even if he has to swap out the motor with one of my other 15-91's. It's also missing the stitch length screw. I didn't think that would be a big deal, but it's threads are smaller than the regular one off my other 15-91's. Though I think I could have DH tap out the hole - I've got a few extra screws that size.

BTW - I've already taken off the damaged light housing - at least only the shroud was broke, the switch part is fine. Good thing as this one is different than all the rest I've seen.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps02e29064.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psf672a3af.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pse7c0a300.jpg

very nice! was the seller aware of the "silver"?

as for being on its side, I'd be really surprised if it didn't spend some time in every other position also. The UPS carousel in their central hubs is scary to see

I can't imagine how it wouldn't be "on it's side" at some point. That's the wide side so I would bet it was stacked that way.

It's very pretty though, how very cool.

without a doubt, the hardest days in the long life of vintage SMs, is the time they spend in transit. It's a testsment to their durability that they survive it at all!

If I had shipped that machine and it had no case, I would have removed the light and packed it in the arch. All it takes is a wee bit of common sense. Something I guess that is missing now adays.

Cathy, that is a nice machine, I've never even seen one like it.

Joe

It's a beautiful machine, Cathy, but will you explain what makes it a Silver. It looks like a regular 15 to me.

Sorry about the light not surviving the trip but that's a great looking machine! The finish looks very nearly perfect on it.
Rodney

Worked a deal out with the seller - we are both happy and they learned about removing the light for shipment.

GreyQ - the "silver" is the nickel stitch length circle and the Singer emblem underneath.

Here is a "regular" 15 along side the "silver" 15. Yes, I know only one is a 15-91, but the 15-90 was handier to grab.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps280543fd.jpg

And the detail - I love that the stitch length shows in the little window.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps59027d2d.jpg

What you commonly see for the 15-88, 89, 90 and 91

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pse62a03ef.jpg

From what I've seen, I think this was how Singer made the first 15-91's. Some sellers say "only 5,000 made!" but that is only for that run. Just from what was on eBay now, I've found machine from three different runs, one in 1931 and two in 1932. I guess that about 40,000 were made this way - so still quite rare, but no way only 5,000.

I've never seen one. It's beautiful and glad for you!!

Very pretty!

Thanks for the great explanation and Congratulations! I can see the difference now.

This is a beautiful machine! I had no idea that there were so many different looks to all these models. This has to be one of the prettiest Singers I've seen. Congrats on your find!

it is very nice, glad its yours.

Some more information on this machine

It had been unwired to remove from the cabinet (they did not cut the wires, and they are in good shape). Since it had no cord or foot pedal, it was sold as "non functioning". With the shuttle in place, there is a noticeable vibration and a "grinding" sound when you turn the flywheel as the hook is coming up to the top. I can only imagine how horrid it would have sounded if someone ran it with power before removing it from the cabinet.

We took the shuttle out and the noise and vibration go away - and we noticed a lot of powdery residue around the shuttle race. I'd say "rust" except it doesn't look like anything is rusted. More like someone put something around there for lubrication, and it dried up and turned to a light orange powder.

Over all, the machine working parts look like it's seen very little use - less than any of the 15's we've encountered so far. We figure all it needs is a good cleaning and some oil.

The seller did not have anything in the write-up about this being a "special" machine in any way. Just a really nice old Singer sewing machine. Starting bid was reasonable. Based on what I paid, the people I was bidding against also knew what this was, but they didn't want it as bad as I did (yea!).

Wow, Cathy..... very nice machine. I do love that stitch length silver... very pretty. I'm so glad you got it.

Images/attachments not showing up on this thread, wonder why, other ones show up. hmmm

Images/attachments not showing up on this thread, wonder why, other ones show up. hmmm
thread jam?

Beautiful machine!

I'm sure at one point it was also upside down. looks great though!

Love the silver! Thanks for sharing it with us.

I think that delivery guy needs to come to my house and surprise me too!

Lovely machine, always great to see different versions, but alas.....now I know they are out there....that might not be so good for the hobby budget....I already have a centennial 15-91... thanks for sharing.

I have a 15-88 Silver. It came in a treadle base and that is how I've kept it. I love the silver details too. They look so cool and the stitch length indicator is actually really good with the window and number. I like it better than the regular black stitch indicator.

redsquirrel, please share pictures! (I see it in your avatar, but I'd love to see a better one) I've never heard of a non 91 that was "silver" I'd also love to know what the serial number is, I'm sort of compiling information on them as there is so little to look up.

Pretty machine! Neat to see a silver one!

If you're in Indianapolis, you have a chance to get one of these at Shopgoodwill. SN says it's from 1930, one of 20,000. So it looks like they were also made 1930 as well as 1931 and 1932? http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions...-15524792.html

I just saw that machine and was trying to remember the significance of the silver badge. Too bad I can't get there from here.
The grass is always greener I suppose but if you like old sewing machines central Indiana seems like a great place to live.
Rodney

Thanks for the info on the 'silver'.

Nan - Indiana

Thanks for the info, it appears these were made for longer than I thought - which would explain why they turn up rather often. I've seen the non - potted motors, but they seem to be from other than the US mfg.

Love the silver on your new girl. Very, very nice machine. Hope you get it up and running soon.

And it is now MINE.

Congrats!!!!!!

Wow, $10. Nice score!!

Love my silver. They are nice.

Here is mine - all cleaned up and ready to use. She's my main bobbin winder (for my long arm) now. I'll try her out for FMQ after I get my sister's quilt finished up.

This is the third 15-91 my husband has gone over, and this one really moves out!

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps1223d270.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps44297154.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psb0d30e6b.jpg

The only sad part - now I have a second homeless 15-91.

i thought you might be the lucky one! congrats!