You can look up the date using the serial number using this website.

Here is a link that might be useful: Date your machine

mfrog's link is my choice for dating my Singers. I have a 1925 cabinet based treadle model, made in Great Britain, with the exact same hood and handle. I don't have the key though, and from what I gather, it's somewhat rare to have the key! (I wish I could get a copy of yours.) I picked up my machine in a junk store in southern Spain.

Thanks, Mfrog! I used your link to determine that my mother's sewing machine is from 1941.

Rackfocus, how old is yours? Here's a tip for you: If you click on the words HTML Code under a Photobucket photo, it copies the code for you. You can then go here and paste it into your post. (I use Ctrl+V, but you could also go up to the Edit menu and select Paste.) That way, all your photos will appear in the post.

daesaflgatorfan; I had an antique store for many years, every dealer I knew had a box of misc keys, I used to have many sewing machine keys. Perhaps you could pop around to shops near you & ask. The are little flat ugly keys that have no decorative value so you should be able to get them for very little $.

I'll try that. It won't work, as I just realized the lock mechanism is missing as well. Maybe I'll get lucky and find the whole deal.

We inherited one just like this from DH's mother, but we've never opened it becaue we don't have the key - now I'm curious. Maybe I'll try picking the lock. LOL!
Hester

It's a Singer 99, a 3/4 sized portable. The decal pattern is known as "Filigree." If you send me the serial number, I can send you the exact day that it was commissioned. I'm a collector and user of antique and vintage sewing machines with more than 70 machines in my collection. You can see a few of my favorites at the link below. This weekend I hosted a quilting retreat and we did all our sewing on treadle sewing machines.

Here is a link that might be useful: Antique sewing machines

Annie, that's quite a collection you have there! Love the quilts. I have four vintage sewing machines, the Singer treadle I mentioned earlier, a Singer knee lever, a "portable" Graybar, complete in it's original wood case, and a turquoise Monarch. The Monarch belonged to my husband's grandmother, and I'd like to know more about it. It came with all manners of attachments, and once I get it rewired, (even the cord and plug are turquoise, btw), I'll be using it. Would you be willing to help me?

Ok, the Monarch will most likely be a Japanese made 15 class machine. Does it have a plate at the base of the upright pillar that says "Precision Deluxe" or something like that? If it does, it's definitely a post-war Japanese 15. These flooded the American market under an almost limitless assortment of names. They came in several colors, black and turquoise are the most common but we also see blue, pink (most sought after by collectors), white, mocha and two-toned (also highly sought). They are fun to collect because they are quite common and still reasonably priced.

These are great machines. I use them for free-motion quilting and keep at least two on hand at all time. If it's a portable, you can get replacement motors and foot-pedals very reasonably. I can give you the name of a supplier if you need one.

Annie

Annie

I recently came into a large lot of sewing machines, some of which are antiques! Anyone who can help me identify them or may interested in aquiring any of these macines, please let me know? I have started taking inventory and testing them!I have 34 portables and 10 tables. Thus far, I have vintage Singers, Monarchs, Stitchmasters, a vintage New Home. many brands and many ages. Thank you in advance for any help or request for info.

Kim

Kim--If you post pictures I can help you ID and, in some cases, date your machines.

Annie

Annie, How do post pics on here?

I have no idea! Do you have a place that you can post them on the 'net--like webshots or picasa? If so, just give me the link and I'll go there. That might be better than cluttering up the list with a lot of pictures anyway. OR, you can e-mail them to me directly at toomanydogs@chibardun.net

Annie

Annie,
Thanks, I will get pics taken and email them to you directly!

Thanks Again, Kim

Does anyone own a 1930 Singer 101 with knee treadle? If so,do you like how it sews? How does it perform compared to other old models? I am about to buy one with a beautiful cabinet and many attachments and manual. Thanks for any input.