I swear some of these machines have been treated with fish oil or something.

Clean it thoroughly, then store it with an "Odor-Eater" shoe insert. It really works!

~ Cindy

CD you are forgiven......I have had success with the dryer sheet and musty smelling books. I will try that.
I did not take it apart so not sure if there is an oil pan in it.
I have not heard of odorban, but can and will try anything.


thanks for all your help.

I got one of those that someone had set for a different needle height, I didn't realize the needle clamp was hitting the lower bushing, and broke both connecting rods (cheap pot metal on these) so it's on the back burner for now. interesting machines though, considering the free arm concept wasn't too broadly used at that time.

I have one of the MW (Montgomery Ward) models that were sold by National. It was designed by the Portman Sewing Machine Company. The design has been referred to as “Seamstress”, “N-50”, and “Model J”. I’m not clear on which name was used by which entity. I think mine is possibly called a Model J because it has the serial number of J 30719.

I removed the motor of mine and experimented with adapting the machine for use in a treadle cabinet, but I didn’t get very far. The base housing interferes with the belt path, and I will have to figure out some type of idler pulley mounted on the treadle top to avoid it. The project is on hold, but I still think it would make a good darning machine for mending jeans and other denims. That’s what I was hoping to use mine for....

CD in Oklahoma

And everytime I see a picture of one, I'm reminded I need to take my apart and fabricate some new connecting rods. Sounds like fun, but I wish I didn't have to. dang pot metal!
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I don't have it out, but in the photo above, my hand is not so large, 8-1/2" tip to tip of finger to thumb

The odor is almost certainly old oil, and perhaps old dust etc stuck to the old oil.
I suggest a thorough dousing in kerosene (outside of course!) to try to flush out the oil.

It will probably go away itself over time as you use and oil the machine, but as mentioned above, if it has a drip pan, scrape that old felt out with a putty knife and replace it with new felt.

I still have not gotten permission to open it up (not my machine). I did take off the bobbin cover plate and whoosh, musty musty musty smell. I keep putting it outside. I'm sure it is old oil just as Jamesbeat suggested. just have to get permission.
and there is no drip pan from what I can see.