Miriam,

You find the most interesting things. I love to dig through old drawers full of goodies.

Joe

Bluebell, I love the machines you got. The Singer tugs at my heart, but then too, I'm partial to old Singers anyway. I'll be waiting to see just how beautiful your machines turn out, not that they aren't pretty now.
Miriam, its strange what one will find tucked into drawers. I like your W&W, and that cabinet will clean up great. I'll bet the machine will too, with your touch.

Ladies, nice find in your machines. I love to look through old sewing cabinet drawers. Even if I am not interested in the mahine. Might find something I'd like and the owner would part with.

Wonder what's wrong...she couldn't "get it started"! Probably not much. Anyway, it's a heck of a buy!

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/for/3246819730.html

Be careful going through old drawers (sewing machine drawers !!!!). I've encountered everything from critters alive and dead to rusty razor blades. I now dump the contents into a shoebox before exploring. And be sure to do this before loading said drawers/cabinet into your car- I wound up with a very expensive mouse family condo in my Subaru AC ductwork. A few mice jumped ship as I unloaded the treadle, but there were other smelly stowaways!

Just looked at the pics. That's a lovely looking machine. It looks like it must have been expensive originally. Must have had all the bells and whistles!

That is a beautiful 500A. They were the 'top of the line' when sold. Mine hasn't been out of it's case in years. That happens when you have more machines than time in the day. VBG

She should ask the cat, he'd know.

Joe

The rummage sale that I volunteer at (over 19 years and counting) receives over 100 machines each year. I wish I had kept notes on what we find in the drawers.
The usual finds are attachments, buttons, thread, razors, tools, keys, and pictures. Then there are the baby teeth, school report cards, and jewelry.

Cathy

Mystery Machine
 

When Miriam found that stash of machines in a barn she found VB shuttle machine in really bad shape. She saved it for me to see what I could do with it. So when visiting her and Phil I picked it up and brought it home to see what I could do with it. I found out it was Burdick sold by Sears in 1900. The name could be read from the decal shadow. I did what I could so here it is. the before and after