Free Westinghouse Sewing Machine Serial Numbers
Free Westinghouse electric sewing machine. Manufactured by The Free Sewing Machine Company, Rockford, IL. Based on the serial number it appears to be a.
A good rule of thumb for determining the desirability of an early sewing machine (pre-1880) is its serial number. A sewing machine by any maker with a serial number of 500 or less would be considered early, desirable and pretty rare. Low serial numbers by more obscure makers would be even better. BRITISH Machines Part 1; BRITISH Machines Part 2; BRADBURY & Co. BRITANNIA SEWING MACHINE COMPANY; BRITISH SEWING MACHINE COMPANY Ltd; ECLIPSE MACHINE COMPANY; ESSEX; GRAIN E. IMPERIAL SEWING MACHINE CO. DATING & IDENTIFYING Jones Sewing Machines; Jones Decals Chronology; Jones HS Machines.
'Can you tell me what my old (vintage/antique) sewing machine is worth?' This is by far the most asked question I hear from my blog readers. Sadly, I am not an Appraiser and cannot give you an estimated value on your old sewing machine. But what I can do is give you information to help you get closer to finding a value on your own. In some ways, putting a price on an old sewing machine can be subjective. How can you put a dollar amount on sentimental value? And is something worth money just because it is old?
Actually, there are lots of variables to estimating the worth of an old sewing machine, so let's look at the most important; the make/model and date, the condition, and any extras that may be included with the machine. IDENTIFY YOUR MACHINE A Japanese Clone tagged with the name 'Morse'. Once you know the specific brand and make or model of your machine, it makes it easier to search for more information about your machine. Use the links below to find out more about your machine. BERNINA There aren't any comprehensive lists for identifying models or manufacture dates for old BERNINA machines available online.
You can try visiting to find out if they can help, you might get lucky and find an authorized BERNINA Technician that's been around forever and knows all about the older models. Or you can look at this brief at BERNINA.com to see if you can find a similar model to yours. And this just in, visit this page to. ELNA Visit the official to contact the company directly. You can also check out the for nice photos of vintage models, and the ISMACS page. NEW HOME Visit the, (the International Sewing Machine Collector's website) or call Janome (New Home) at 1-800-631-0183. PFAFF Visit the, which includes a chart for dating information based on serial number.
SINGER Singer was the leader in sewing machine manufacturers in the early 20th Century, and there are lots of resources for finding out more about your old Singer. (scroll to the bottom right hand side of the page to find the database). A comprehensive chart at ISMACS based on your to find out the exact model and date of manufacture. Learn to identify the on your Singer machine. Find help from Sandman Collectibles. Find a available at ISMACS. And some Singer machines are more saught-after than others!
Here's an article listing the, and many people who collect and sew with vintage Singer machines do love and seek out these particular models. WHITE Check out the at the ISMACS site.
MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER BRANDS There were a small handful of manufacturers who made 'generic' machines in the mid 20th Century (like the Morse pictured above). Many of them were based on a Singer class 15 machine, and are commonly known as 'Singer Clones' -. If your sewing machine looks a lot like these machines but has an off brand name, chances are you have a generic or clone machine.
CONDITION Poor condition - it works, but has rust and damage to the finish. The overall condition of your machine is one of the biggest factors in estimating a value. Make sure to take a very thorough inventory of your machine and record the condition of the finish, any electrical cords or belts, decals, chrome or metal parts, motor, the inside working parts of the machine, and how the machine works or performs. Be sure to also look closely at the condition of the case or cabinet, including if it is still original to the machine and if it has been refinished or restored.
The overall condition can be communicated by one of the following terms: Mint = Still new from the factory, in original packaging or condition, and never, ever used. It is nigh impossible to find an old sewing machine in mint condition! Excellent = In the best shape possible, but used. No chips, scratches or dents, no wear or tear, no rust or dust, in top notch running order. Complete with no parts missing.
Very Good = May have a few scratches or small cosmetic blemishes, dents or dings, but works well and does not need any additional work to use the machine. Bluestacks 1 windows 7. Complete with no parts missing. Good = Some cosmetic damage to finish, but nothing to keep the machine from working. May be missing some accessories or manual. Fair = A machine that has definitely been used, possibly not kept up as well as others.
Usual wear and tear for a well used machine, pin scratches, some dings in finish, some rubbing off of decals, but machine should work. Some accessories missing or in non-working order, manual may be damaged or missing. Poor = A machine that has been used hard or has weathered badly. Extensive damage to the finish like rubbed off decals, scratches from use, dings in the finish, possibly some surface rust. Electrical cords may be frayed, and machine should work, but is not in top-notch running order. Probably missing some or all accessories or manual, or parts like extra bobbins.
Definitely needs a little TLC and possibly some restoration. Parts Only/Parts Machine = Totally unable to be salvaged for use, and is being sold ONLY for the parts in the machine. Most importantly, when you are comparing your machine to others just like it to try and find a value, refer to the conditions listed. Is your machine in comparable condition to the one you are looking at, or is it in worse or better shape?
It goes without saying that the better the overall condition, the better the price and vise versa. ACCESSORIES A vintage 1940's Singer Buttonholer attachment Being able to identify which accessories, presser feet, or other 'stuff' is with your old machine can be helpful, plus a machine with extras is generally worth more and sells for a higher price than just a stand-alone machine. Identify the most common accessories and presser feet with this or check photos and instructions at the.
See a modern stitcher use each and every one of the vintage/antique accessories, giving you tips and tricks to be successful with them all. Check out the ).
Find digital reprints of instructions for some of the most popular, scroll to the bottom of the page for the accessories. Accessories should be in good condition if you want to use them, that means being free of dust, dirt, or excessive rust. Apple mac os mojave download. If you are going to be selling accessories, be sure to carefully list the conditions of the accessories in your detailed description. DOCUMENTATION If you have the original bill of sale or other sales documentation with your old machine, count yourself very lucky!
Keep this paperwork in a safe place, like a folder or envelope to keep the paper safely away from direct contact with the machine to avoid oil stains. Many times manuals are not with machines or are badly damaged. If you have the original manual, store it in a folder or envelope to keep it safe from oil stains from your machine. If you're in need of a manual, check the ISMACS site for a pretty complete list of.
If you have a machine that belonged to someone in your family, it may have been handed down through more than one family member. If this is the case, be sure to record as much as you can about the history of the machine; this includes it's origins, and any information about the various owners, and even what may have been sewn with the machine (family heirlooms, wedding dresses, christening gowns, family quilts, etc.). Keep this information safe in a folder or envelope, and keep it updated as much as you can. ESTIMATING A VALUE INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC Take a quick look. Vintage home sewing machines are not 'industrial', 'heavy-duty', 'industrial grade', 'semi-industrial', nor are they manufactured to sew anything other than regular home sewing projects.
Free Westinghouse Sewing Machine Serial Numbers
Be sure you understand the difference and know what you have! APPRAISALS/INSURANCE VALUE If your machine is truly an antique (manufactured before 1900), or if you really want to be sure about the worth, you may want to hire an appraiser to value your machine. Have the appraisal in person, and get it in writing; it's well worth the cost, both for insurance purposes or to set a realistic selling price. Find a local auction or antique house near you and call to inquire about appraisal services. Or read more about appraisers in. RESALE VALUE/SELLING PRICE When you have as much information as you can find about your machine, you are ready to do some research to find a comparative market price. The key to this process is to find what machines just like yours, in the same kind of condition, have recently sold for. The trick is to look in as many places as possible and find what seems to be the most popular or often seen price for a machine just like yours in the same condition with similar extras.
If you see lots and lots of listings for your type of machine, it probably means that there were many manufactured and there is not a huge demand. Or, you may have a hard time finding a machine like yours it could mean there aren't a lot out there - in which case you might consider contacting a professional appraiser for help. Where to look: You can visit local shops that often carry old machines to see what local prices look like, and if there are any for sale like yours. Ask your friends that regularly go antiquing to help you look, too. If you've got an eBay account, do a search for your machine and be sure to do an 'Advanced' search, checking the 'Completed Listings' box on the search page. This will show you auctions that have ended and the final selling price of the sewing machines.
There are lots of old, vintage and antique machines for sale on Etsy, but it can be more difficult to separate out over inflated prices from what an actual fair market price may be. Try to look at as many of the same model as possible and see what the price range may be. If you see 6 machines just like yours, and 5 are priced at about $100 dollars while one is $300, it's a good bet that a fair market value for the machine is in the $100 range.
Just like Etsy, it can be difficult to separate out over inflated prices on Craigslist from what a fair price is. But, keep your eyes out for a machine like yours for a period of a few weeks and you may be able to see what kind of steady prices show up for a machine like yours. And, there are many more places you'll see on the web as well, even online stores solely dedicated to selling vintage machines.
Like I mentioned above, find as many examples as you can for machines in similar condition as yours, and naturally your estimated price will be in the same ballpark. EVEN MORE Read even more about pricing or estimating values of old sewing machines: from Sewing Machine Repair Tips from ISMACS from Vintage Sewing Machines from Sew-Classic from Antique Singer Sewing Machines.
Anonymous said. Nice article. I think the main piece of advice when valuing your machine is 'get ready for disappointment'. Sewing machines seem to be considerably undervalued in the marketplace - probably because so many lasted. At any given time - at least where I live on the East Coast - there are at least a dozen antique treadles (in various conditions) listed in the online classifieds, and many vintage machines from the '30s to '60s as well. Even with the original cabinet or case, working antiques rarely sell for more than $100.00, and the vintage machines for around $50. Some exceptions for rare or pristine machines, or machines with really fancy tables I'm sure.
Free Westinghouse Sewing Machine Serial Number Lookup
I bought my 1860s Singer treadle for $70. I also have several of those all-metal '50s 'portables' I picked up for no more than $30 each. Has anyone heard of the Lady Kenmore sewing machine? I have one from 1959, made in Germany.
It's a pfaff 260 under the name of kenmore. I have the original table, accessories, manuals, and even the square cloth that a seamstress used to test the actual machine prior to selling it. It's in good condition, the cams are clean and intact. It will need a service to oil and clean the inside since it hasn't been used in 20 years.
Grandma stopped sewing due to her arthritis. Is this machine worth anything?
I find it beautiful. Anonymous said. I know nothing about sewing machines, but my mother in law has a very old one. It is a Singer Treadle.
The area where the Serial No is says “No 50475” then underneath that it says “No 61”. The patent has 4 dates, August 2, 1892 April 5, 1898, February 12, 1901 & March 25, 1902.
There is what appears to be a brass plaque that has stamped in it “61W2” on the machine just beneath the gold scrolls. It is on a very nice wooden table top with a wrought iron base (legs) and foot (treadle). Can anyone tell me what model it is. My email is nikki@htc.net (nikki at htc dot net). Thank you very much (in advance). Anonymous said. What a lot of non-sewists fail to realise is that no matter how old your machine, or how cute or whatever, it still has to be sold to someone who sews, which are in the minority of the population.
Even among sewists the demand for vintage machines isn't that high so you are looking at a very tiny niche market for your xyz sewing machine. Unless it's a very early, very sought after major brand model complete with all accessories, in perfectly maintained and working order, it's very likely to languish on CL or eBay at $50. Yes Anonymous, there is a bit of truth to that, just because it's old doesn't make it worth a lot of money. Some models were manufactured for years and are really common - like the Singer 66 machines.
Free Westinghouse Alb
I found one years ago, and since have found several more at next to nothing, plus see more 66 machines often. And the other issue is people posting machines at totally inflated prices. Just because someone sees a vintage machine for sale at a high price doesn't mean anyone will actually purchase it for that price! Cheers - Erika.
Since we opened our doors to the public, we have restored the cabinets of countless sewing machines. In fact, in roughly the last 20 years, not a day has gone by that we have not had someone’s sewing machine in the shop either underway or awaiting restoration. Most have been early treadle operated machines that have been passed down from generation to generation within a family. Some have been more modern electric machines dating from the 1940’s to as new as the 1980’s. Recently one of our longtime clients brought us a sewing machine like none we have ever seen before. This machine is also a family heirloom, having belonged to the client’s grandmother. It is a Free-Westinghouse machine in a beautifully ornate cabinet from the 1920’s.
I was able to date the machine to 1926 and even found an image of the original sales brochure and operating manual. The Free Sewing Machine Company has a very interesting history.
John Sewing Machine Company, which was the predecessor of the Free Sewing Machine Company, was founded in 1870. In 1883, it was renamed the Royal Sewing Machine Company. After the company relocated to Rockford, Illinois, it was renamed once again in 1897 as The Free Sewing Machine Company after the company’s president, William C. The Free – Westinghouse machine first appeared in 1926 after the company became associated with Westinghouse as the sole supplier of electric motors to Free.
The name was used into the 1950’s. However, post World War II the company began having machines made in Japan.
Westinghouse was apparently not too happy about this as Free was no longer using their motors for their imported machines. In 1957, a lawsuit was filed by Westinghouse to stop Free from using the Westinghouse name. Unable to compete against cheap overseas labor, the company was bought out by the Japanese in 1954. Here are some before photos. The walnut cabinet and detail work is an excellent example of the style popular in the 1920’s. Stay tuned for a look at the completed restoration of this diamond in the rough.
|
Oiling diagram for the sewing machine head
Parts diagram for The Free sewing machine head
Free Westinghouse Sewing Machine Serial Numbers And Dates
Threading diagram for The FreeThe Free vibrating shuttle sewing machine head (Courtesy of Bobbie Kopf)
Underside view of The Free sewing machine (Courtesy of Bobbie Kopf)
View of The Free sewing machine in a treadle cabinet (Courtesy of Bobbie Kopf)
Illustration of a Victorian woman readying the machine for use
(Courtesy of Bobbie Kopf)Side view of The Free sewing machine cabinet (Courtesy of Bobbie Kopf)
Close-up shot of throat plate area
The Free Elgin sewing machine (Photo courtesy of G. Bethel)
The Free sewing machine (Photo courtesy of G. Bethel)
The Free McCaskill sewing machine (Photo courtesy of G. Bethel)
The Free sewing machine (built-in motor) (Photo courtesy of G. Bethel)
Copyright © 1996-2001 by Charles Law (Webmaster)