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Member since 9/29/08
Posts: 359
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Posted on: 6/3/10 4:17 PM ET
I just got a notice for an Estate Sale, and this item is listed with no description--though the list of items does include "vintage Singer machine."

What is this?!?!

TIA


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I need to make curtains. Curses!
  
Member since 6/18/08
Posts: 2609
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Posted on: 6/3/10 4:39 PM ET
Looks like a Wilcox & Gibbs chainstitcher.
  
Member since 6/18/03
Posts: 2145
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Posted on: 6/3/10 4:47 PM ET
I'm hoping an expert will chime in but to my untrained eyes that looks like a Willcox and Gibbs chain stitch machine from the 1850s or slightly later. The one in your picture is lacking the hand crank which I would guess (without any certainty) would indicate it was originally paired with a treadle machine. It's hard to tell from that picture (and what IS it with taking pictures from the back? My FIL did the same with a machine he asked me to identify) but it looks like it's in good condition. I don't know many (er, any) who sew with these old chain stitch models as a main machine but I'd love to have one as a display machine with the option of doing some pretty chain stitching if so desired. What a neat find, please take pictures if it does wind up in your home. I love antique machines. :)
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Kit
"Never underestimate the power of the right dress!" - drsue
"Hyu gots to know how to sveet tok de costumers, dollink" - Girl Genius, 11-24-08
  
Member since 3/9/09
Posts: 11323
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Posted on: 6/3/10 7:17 PM ET
In reply to bettimon
They're so darn CUTE!
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I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
  
Member since 5/9/05
Posts: 1471
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Posted on: 6/3/10 9:34 PM ET
Could be a Wilcox and Gibbs chainstitch or one of the several clones. It does appear that it was a treadle model.

DH has several of these and they are great little machines. I recently let my 5 year old twin GDs use one of the handcrank models to make their first doll quilts. They loved cranking!
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She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. Proverbs 31:13 NAS
  
Member since 9/29/08
Posts: 359
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Posted on: 6/4/10 4:23 AM ET
How interesting--a chainstitch machine? I'll have to google that.

I don't think it will be coming home with me. I think I'm officially OUT OF ROOM with my last acquisition.

Thanks for the identifications, everybody!
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I need to make curtains. Curses!
  
Member since 3/21/07
Posts: 624
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Posted on: 6/4/10 6:06 AM ET
In reply to Soolip
I'm going to guess Eldredge chainstitcher (which is the same thing, mechanically), simply because if I remember correctly, the Eldredge badge is on the front and the W&G badges are on the back. But it's a guess, because I don't know if all W&G badges were on the back of the machine.
  
Member since 3/21/07
Posts: 624
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Posted on: 6/4/10 6:07 AM ET
In reply to KitnRose
There's no clear shot of the tension, but it does not appear to be a glass tension, but rather the "newer" automatic tension.
  
Member since 5/9/05
Posts: 1471
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Posted on: 6/4/10 7:46 AM ET
In reply to jzy_gail
Good catch about the badge. Our W&Gs are on the back.
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She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. Proverbs 31:13 NAS
  
Member since 3/21/07
Posts: 624
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Posted on: 6/6/10 1:32 PM ET
In reply to my horse
Well, I learned something new this weekend (I attended a gathering of vintage sewing machine enthusiasts in Lancaster county, PA this weekend). The placement of the W&G badge on the W&G chainstitchers was a function of when they were manufactured. The earliest versions didn't always have a badge at all. Then they were on the back and then finally the newer ones were placed on the front.

I have a machine head in search of a treadle table that has the badge on the backside. And this weekend I bought a pristine, mint condition decals, electric version with the badge in front.

So the location of the badge does not necessarily mean it's not a W&G had.
  
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