I have faced a few "but it's been exactly like this and in my family for 40 years!" that required gentle reminders that "yes, but this machine is 120 years old so that is only 1/4 of it's history...Sorry"

I picked up a Willcox & Gibbs once that was from a local museum (with provenance) that had been on display for quite a while claiming to have been in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Unfortunately, when I got the serial number research completed it was dated to 1925-26.

The case probably isn't bound in real leather either.

I think I will pass even looking at it. I have a long list to go see when I get down there in a couple of weeks.

If I were in the area, I'd probably go look at it just so I could say I did, though I doubt that the seller would reduce the price enough to make it a good buy.