What Model of Singer is this?
 

I was browsing around on CL today and ran across this listing. Now I by no means need another sewing machine but this was intriging to me. Actually I was looking for a treadle base for a Fiddlebase Singer with rose floral decals that I bought while in Wisconsin and ran across this one which I thought would be the perfect fit. However, when we saw it, I noticed that it was a little bit smaller than the 27 with the rose decals and knew it would not fit into this coffin top cabinet but it was so darn cute that I just had to bring it home. I only paid $40 for it and it turns easily. It appears that the bullet bobbin holder and therefore the bobbins are a little smaller and shorter than the bullett bobbin holder and bobbins on the 27. I can't seem to find much info on this machine on the internet but I believe it is a Model 12. Also the numbers are somewhat confusing as they read 5096525 966525. If you go by the last number the year allotted was 1873 and if you use the other number the year allotted appears to be 1882. I did run across a video on you tube which I think will help me in threading this machine because I could not find any place to get a manual but if those years are correct Singer may not have printed manuals back then. There was a little round wooden needle holder by the Boye Needle Co which had two needles in it. As I was checking the needles they also appear to be smaller at the insertion point and maybe even shorter but I don't know about that. The coffin top doesn't have the singer logo on it so I don't know if this is original or not. Lots of questions huh!!! Anyway, I am sure some of you experts on Vintage Singer machines will have some answers for me. I am not even sure if $40 was a good price for this little machine. It isn't even very heavy.

Singer 12...fiddlebase maybe?

ISMACS has information about it and has the manual for free download:

http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...e-manuals.html

I think $40 is a great price! It is a very cute machine, and I'd like to see pictures of the 27 with rose decals. I just got my first treadle, an "Improved Family" or 15 (the first class 15) with apple blossom decals. Looking at your pictures, I think that the extra needle plate that came with it probably came from a 12 as it is a small rectangle. Would you measure it for me sometime?

I think it is worth $40 just to wonder what stories it could tell! Love it!

Singer 12 & Rose Decal Singer Bobbins
 

Here are two pictures of the Singer which I think is a 27 with the Rose Decals and 2 pictures of the bobbins from these two machines. The larger one belongs to the 27 and the smaller one(the one on the right) is from the Singer 12. On the bobbin plate of the 12 it reads Pattened April 22, 1879. The dimensions of the 12 are 6 x 12 and the dimensions of the 27 are 7 x 14.

You have a model 12 with a transverse boat shuttle. NICE find! :)

Love it!!!!!!

Sounds and looks like you made a nice buy.

What a lovely machine! I'd definitely say it was worth $40.

Enjoy it! Love it:thumbup: