Royal St John
 

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/atq/4182394916.html

I had to Google this... another oldie that's new to me. The cabinet's a bit of a mess, but the machine sure is in good shape. Looks like the MOP is still mostly all there. Wish I had more space... but I would have no idea what to offer anyway.

Not much out there on Royal St John:

http://www.springfieldohiohistory.ne...bumid=13318253

The head is quite beautiful, though the cabinet needs work. One of the trade cards says it runs forward and bac kwards, pretty early machine for having reverse

Jon

Wonder how it managed that? If I was nearby I'd stop by and check it out and possibly make a low ball offer.

Hummmmm, that's here. I'm sure there's local history about it. I can look into it.

Beautiful machine. In one of Muv's videos she shows a German treadle that sews in reverse. At least I think this is Muv:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8IUBJry6Ro

I found some history of the company. It was only in business for a short time but it started in 1875. Here's an image of the factory from "History of the Manufacturies of Springfield, Ohio" published in 1884.
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Thanks for the great information. Sounds like the hand wheel can go clockwise or counter clockwise and this machine will sew if I interpreted this correctly.

Jon

Do you mean in Muv's video? I think she said it sews with the handwheel going counter clockwise, and reverse is controlled by the stitch length lever (just like the later Singers). If the handwheel goes in the wrong direction you'll get a thread nest.