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Bradley or Bradford SM Bradley or Bradford SM
HeyJane   Intermediate PA USA Member since 5/18/05 Posts: 214	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/9/08 7:00 PM Does anyone know anything about the name Bradley for sewing machines. There's one for sale in my neighborhood and the seller knows nothing about it. He thought the name is either a Bradley or Bradford. It's definitely a vintage machine and appears to be heavy like some of the old work horses. I've never heard of Bradley so I'm wondering if anyone has any information. *Thanks*
Betakin Advanced AZ USA Member since 4/22/04 Posts: 7279	Login to reply to this post In reply to HeyJane Like this post Date: 9/9/08 7:12 PM Could the name be a Barclay or a Bradbury?
HeyJane   Intermediate PA USA Member since 5/18/05 Posts: 214	Login to reply to this post In reply to Betakin Like this post Date: 9/9/08 7:55 PM I just sent them another email and he said it's Bradford. Some scuffs but no rust. $15 with table. The machine weighs 50 lbs. It's blue in color. Now I'm intrigued, what do you think. It might be some strange thing I can't get parts for , though.
HeyJane   Intermediate PA USA Member since 5/18/05 Posts: 214	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/9/08 8:02 PM Here I found a photo of a Bradford on line. Pretty cute. "I will not get addicted to vintage machines...I will not get addicted to vintage machines...."
Betakin Advanced AZ USA Member since 4/22/04 Posts: 7279	Login to reply to this post In reply to HeyJane Like this post Date: 9/10/08 3:09 AM Oh that is a cutie.
Betakin Advanced AZ USA Member since 4/22/04 Posts: 7279	Login to reply to this post In reply to HeyJane Like this post Date: 9/10/08 3:26 AM Guess what...I just googled the Bradford Sewing Machine company and up came a Pfaff..and the site said that Bradford was the largest sewing machine company in Europe that has sold millions of machines. Wow, and here I was going to guess that the Bradford machine was a Japanese made machine.
sewfrequent Intermediate TX USA Member since 6/27/03 Posts: 2904	Login to reply to this post In reply to HeyJane Like this post Date: 9/10/08 9:33 AM Yep that's a cutie and even more irresistable in blue lol. Would you have an opportunity to sew on it before you buy? I mean for $15, it is not a huge consideration but i'm guessing it could be serviced if needed. You'll want to check wiring and hope for a manual and some attachments.
sewonandsewforth Intermediate TX USA Member since 6/12/08 Posts: 296	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/10/08 10:13 AM That is a very handsome machine! For $15 it's worth buying and seeing what you can do with it. It looks basic enough that I would think any sewing machine tech could bring it up to par. Even if you have to pay another $50 or so to make it safe and get it running well would be worth it. But then, please realize that I am a recovering sewing machine addict! I recently purchased a prime condition 1959 Necchi that was TOL when manufactured. Did I need it? No! I wanted it! I have sewn on it and it's great. I also have two new machines and a serger. But I paid $60 for the Necchi, in its original cabinet, and it had been completely serviced and the seller delivered it to me from his home about 50 miles away. So what's not to love?
HeyJane   Intermediate PA USA Member since 5/18/05 Posts: 214	Login to reply to this post In reply to Betakin Like this post Date: 9/10/08 3:36 PM Yes I saw that on the Pfaff Industrial Site after reading your post: "In 1862, PFAFF invented the first sewing machine. 'Bradford' becomes the world famous brand afterwards. Today, Bradford Company is the largest sewing machine manufacturer in Europe. Over ten million sewing machines are being manufactured. Their services cover 130 countries with over 30 subsidiaries providing comprehensive sales services and worldwide customer network." There are sources on some other blogs that point to the UK. Manta.com indicates a Bradford Company in United Kingdom. Bradford International, Inc. is a worldwide distributor of hosiery knitting equipment (Americas/Asia). Another possibility pointed out by Jenny is that many stores just stuck their name on sewing machines, washers and dryers, and other products that were brought back from trips to the Orient and then sold in dept. stores. I saw a woman on another blog who said she had a washer and dryer from the 1970s, at that time stores were putting the Bradford name on stuff. I still wonder, though, because it sure is really heavy like my Pfaff 130. I didn't find any info on ISMACS.
HeyJane   Intermediate PA USA Member since 5/18/05 Posts: 214	Login to reply to this post In reply to sewfrequent Like this post Date: 9/10/08 3:38 PM LOL Yeah, I don't have any blue machines. Must get a blue one. LOL No testing beforehand…it's on DH's way home, he will stop and throw it in the car. It's so inexpensive if it's a total dud, DH will use the parts for something because he is always tinkering and very mechanical. Besides I want to examine the machine's little blue butt and try to find out where he came from, eh? I feel like we are detectives.

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