I don't know the exact size, but the 99 is a 3/4 size machine, so it will give you a smaller opening than most machines. (I assume you mean the distance between needle and pillar.)

It does not look like a letter is stamped in front of the numbers to me. If there is not a letter, then it is an 1885. Do you see one? Any quick ideas to just clean up the serial number plate before taking it all apart to clean thoroughly by Billy's tutorial? Or do you think it is clear enough to properly date it?[/quote]

I could be wrong but I see a G in front of the numbers. That would make it a 127 from 1919.

On two of the pictures I think I can see the 'G' too. The last picture looked more like an 'A' (upside down) but the 'G' makes more sense.

I could be wrong but I see a G in front of the numbers. That would make it a 127 from 1919.[/quote]

After cleaning with some of the hand cleaner and a Q-tip, I can definitly see the 'G' stamped very close to the edge. So it's not as old as I first thought...but I am still happy!

Your Sphinx looks exactly like my Sphinx posted here on page 469. Mine in a Model 127, as yours is too, and my machine is a 1913. It appears someone put a motor on your treadle, which I would promptly remove!

I love my Sphinx! It makes a perfect stitch!

Congratulations!

Nancy

I could be wrong but I see a G in front of the numbers. That would make it a 127 from 1919.[/quote]

There is a "G" on the front of the number, plus they didnt make the 127's until 1913 so it has to be letter in front of the number.

Billy

My son took the upside down image and flipped it to read correctly. We both say it is an A. Very pretty machine, have fun with it!

I have agree with Vintagemotif, it looks like an 'A' now that the upsidedown picture has been flipped over. When I first looked at the posting, the two pictures that were posted first looked like a 'w' to me, but this last one definitly looks like an 'a'. Unfortunately, the letter's 'a' and 'w' were both lost. I can't see a 'g', but it makes more sense that it is a 'g'!

Anyway, once you get it all cleaned up, you should be able to tell with a magnifying glass, try different angles!

Nancy

Sorry, my friend..aka..fq stash queen was still signed in on my computer...so I will post my message under my board name. {hispatchwork} By the way, she is the one that found and brought my singer treadle to me from Michigan where her DSIL saw it at the Goodwill store. Thank you fq!

OK, I am back into my own account. A few posts back I mentioned that after cleaning a little, I could see that it was a G....it was stamped very close to the edge. I just took more pictures that I think will show it better.