BoJangles

I haven't had time to go back and read all the posts from the last couple days, but I have read a couple of the 'clones' debate.

If you do a search of 'Singer 15 clones" all kinds of stuff comes up. I printed out an article that I thought was really interesting on the subject of the 'clones' when I got my first 'clone.'

This article was written in 2006 by Ed Lamoureux and I found it explained the Japanese 'clones' very well. To quote from the article, "Shortly after WWII, Japan, with money from the US, manufactured a large number of sewing machines. The most common of these were based on the Singer Model 15, but there are also Singer 99 clones. Indeed many of these machines are practically indistinguishable from a Singer and use parts that are interchangeable. Often they were given American sounding names to appeal to the overseas market. Over 5000 different "brands" have been identified, manufactured by 15 or so companies. Unfortunately, records from these manufactures don't exist, so it is impossible to identify them further. Generally speaking, a machine will somewhere state "made in Japan" or have a "JA" stamped into the bottom of the machine. To further complicate matters, large retailers would purchase machines and have the company name on them: RH Macy, Gimballs, etc. Any retailer so inclined could have Sewing Machines made just for him or her (Sears Kenmore, Wards Signature). I've tracked Department Stores, machines with automobile names, female names, patriotic names, etc. The post war machines are generally well made, often quieter and smoother running than the Singers they were copied from. Japan also gave us many of our colored sewing machines, examples have been found in metallic blue, green, pink, yellow, and I have a Fire Engine Red one!~ In terms of collectability, don't be fooled by a claim of 'an extremely rare" Mitsubishi, Ford, Saxon, Stitch Queen, etc., the same machine could have dozens of different names. If it says Singer on the machine, it probably is. If it doesn't, it's not. The Japanese machines have not caught on with collectors (even the ones made in occupied Japan) and as a result retain very little value. They can be found at Thrift Stores for $10 - $20 and at local auctions for under $5. "

Anyway, since this article was written in 2006, I think very little has changed. The 15 'clones' are great machines. Whether they are in fact actual clones or not they have been called 'clones' for a very long time.

Nancy

purplefiend

justtrish,
That's a Singer 101.

vintagemotif

I agree that these are cute fabric bowls.

purplefiend

What were they thinking???? That's just creepy!! UGH!

BoJangles

Miz Johnny, where have you been? Oh yeah, you already answered that question! I'm still waiting to see pictures of that Pfaff treadle! Glad you popped in to the new shop! We are all still getting use to the feel of this new format, but most of us are getting comfortable with it already!

Nancy

chris_quilts

Not sure they were thinking but drinking or smoking something for sure!

BoJangles

[QUOTE=jlhmnj;4663293]Davis and some other SM manufacturers would put whatever name the buyer wanted with an order of 100+- machines. Going by Davis serial numbers, I would roughly date your machine to 1906 . Attached is dated Davis machines, numbers beginning with "D" are Sears Minnesota's. Some badged Davis machines have this "D" also, which seems to be a smart way to mark the machine for needles and parts if "Davis" is not already on the slide plate. Good luck with the cabinet restoration and if part of the bobbin winder is missing, I might have some odd parts layin around if needed.
Jon
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/gGW8Tsp...Serial Numbers

Wow Jon, thank you. I am going backwards trying to catch up with the board and found this information! I don't have time to read it all tonight, but I will tomorrow. Yep, I figured by the looks and feel of this machine that it is from around the 1900 to 1910 timeframe, so your guess of 1906 sounds right!

Jon, thank you for all the information! I love it! And, yes this machine takes a Boye 10 or Davis Long (same thing) just like I figured it would!

Nancy

jlhmnj

[QUOTE=BoJangles;4664187]You have a really neat machine with an interesting CA / USA story to tell. Thank You!
Jon

Janis

I have since read some reviews on the picot hemstitcher and they weren't good ones. But then too, it's easy to complain. Unfortunately, I don't buy on line as to e-bay or things like that. I'd have to buy it from an individual like here instead. I'll look at the video and see what she has to say.

Charlee

[QUOTE=vintagemotif;4664037]Mine doesn't have the scrolled woodwork, but is instead "scored".