Sharon, Thanks! That's sad that you lost everything since it doesn't accept your password. I'm sure you are frustrated with "Smiles". I would be. Do you have images on your computer still? Downloads? I hope so.
Now that Webshots is gone, there are fewer images of sewing machine to be found. I guess many folks were using Webshots that collected vintage machines. Sadly, many of those images are now gone too.

I learned how to identify machines by some of those photos. I would compare them to some of the machines ThayerRags has posted on his site since he has named all of his machine. I would google X machine and images of machines X, Y and Z would show. It was my way of learning. I would then figure out what machine Y and Z would be through google searches. It was a learning game for me. And that is how I discovered many other wonderful sites.
I found Quilting Board by a google search of quilting with vintage machines. Oh well...hopeful folks will make a simple blog of their machines so that others can use them as a reference tool.

There are many resources for machine ID and information, but ya'll are right--every time we lose a big site like Needlebar or Katie Farmer's, it's a sad day in Sewing Machine World.

I've been hunting for some info tonight myself, and am in hopes someone here might know. I picked up an American #1 treadle today, and am trying to find the serial number. This machine does not have the shield-shaped badge with serial # on the front, instead it has a round badge. Ideas? Thanks for any input.

Miz Johnny! You're collection has grown again! Ok, since no one else has answered, I'll take a stab at helping you. First, does your machine look like this one? Here is a post from last year on QB from QuilterGary:http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...o-t191438.html

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This plate has some dates on it that may be of help to you if this is similar machine.

Second, Taken from Sewalot(his site is very informative): http://www.sewalot.com/american_sewing_machine.htm

"You have to be a bit careful as there were several companies using the American on their sewing machines such as Goodrich, National, Weir and New Home. Several were available from the giant Sears mail order company of North America. Even James Weir advertised one of his models as the American Hand Sewing Machine."

Lastly, http://website.lineone.net/~lindave/american.htm

That's all the information I could find. Please post a photo of your machine for us to see!

Monica,
I have some of the pictures still in my computer. However the pictures from earlier than 2009 are all lost as we had a data corrupting trojan that trashed the hard drive.
Sharon

Yes, it has, I'm sorry to say. I just couldn't pass this one up!! I did find that the serial number is around the spool pin, under the felt and a screw. Mine dates to 1870, probably within a year or so of the one you pictured. Mine is in slightly better shape, but only slightly. The coffin top is in pieces, but I think it can be put back together. I am looking forward to working on it. I can't post pics right now due to computer issues, but will do so when I get them resolved!!

Just wanted to pop in say a huge Thanks for all the information i learn from all of you that are so willing to share-Thank-you!!!

I think we all learn a lot here - it's what it's about

I also have a clone badged "Made in Occupied Japan". Mine is an Admiral. Black 15 clone.

I thought that I would share a neat little tip today. If you have a screw in a tight space and the screwdriver shaft might mar the paint or chrome, tape a piece of a plastic drinking straw to the shaft. It will protect the paint if they come in contact with each other. It is cheap and easy insurance against damaged paint.
~G~

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Hey all :) I've been MIA for a few days while it has been crazy around here (as usual). Hubby is 15 minutes away for a training class but they're requiring him to stay out there overnight so he's gone. My oldest son went in this morning for his spinal cord surgery to fix a tethered cord, and is currently recovering. He'll be discharged tomorrow. All went well. I got my gorgeous Jones treadle all safe and sound from SteveH in California and got it assembled with some phone tech support from Steve and his wonderful girlfriend. I can't begin to tell you how wonderfully well it was packed for shipping all the way to Texas!. She still needs a basic cleaning but she is soooooo pretty! I think she's now my favorite--at least until my Willcox & Gibbs arrives.

I'm having a huge estate sale this coming weekend and I'm thinning the herd a bit of the more "modern" vintage machines I have. There's about 20 or so I plan to find new homes for.