This is a visual guide to identifying for certain black, cast-iron vintage Singer machines: The 66, 99, 201, 206, too fifteen both potted too belted. These are the models I detect to travel most mutual inward my expanse (NYC).
The fantabulous online Singer identification guide from Sandman Collectibles is the electrical current gilded criterion for identifying vintage Singer machines. It asks you lot to banking company gibe off a listing of features seen on your machine, narrowing it downward until you lot brand it at the model number. It's predicated on having the machine inward front end of you, where you lot tin run across everything clearly.
But what if you're looking at a tiny, dark, poorly shot, grainy, out-of-focus photograph on Craigslist or eBay too can't answer all of the questions asked yesteryear the Sandman page? This volition assistance SOME of you lot (please read the caveat at the bottom of this entry) to expect at a Craigslist photograph too figure out if it's the model you're looking for or not. In full general I don't expect for mutual technical details similar where the tension dial is or what side the lite is on; I simply expect at the overall lines of the machine too a span of clues that exhibit upwards no affair how crappy the photo.
Case inward point--the other hateful solar daytime I clicked on a Craigslist advertizing proverb alone "Singer sewing machine" too saw this photo:
The photo's small, dark, shot from a weird angle too shows no detail, but I similar a shot knew it was a model 99. (I afterward e-mailed the adult woman too she confirmed it.) How did I know? You'll detect out inward this serial of entries.
You tin larn to position dissimilar models of Singer, fifty-fifty through lousy photos, yesteryear a serial of curves too visual clues. First I'm going to start amongst the model fifteen because that has the most distinctive "lines," if you lot know where to look. When trying to position a Singer from a crappy photo, the commencement thing I produce is dominion out whether it is or isn't a model 15.
Most photos, no affair how bad, volition bring out the piece of work yesteryear occupation of the machine. (Some don't, I'll comprehend that afterward inward this series.) And on every Singer model, the topmost profile occupation of the machine features a occupation that descends from correct to left--what I'll telephone telephone the "runway"--tapering downward to a pinched waist earlier ramping dorsum upwards into what I'll telephone telephone the "ski jump." I'll telephone telephone the bottom of the arm the "undercurve," too I'll also inquire you lot to authorities annotation the "pillar line," or front end border of the pillar. (Please authorities annotation I'm making these price up; they are non mutual usage too volition brand no feel to others.)
Now, let's expect at the model 15, forgetting for a 2d close the sub-model:
First, notice the Runway/Waist/Ski Jump area. It's a smoothen curve. What I hateful yesteryear that is, if you lot were driving a tiny machine downward the "runway" of the machine, you lot could drive upwards the "ski jump" amongst no problem. It doesn't acquire steeper than 45 degrees, too that's unique to the model 15s.
Secondly, expect at the undercurve. It's variety of symmetrical, similar the piece of work yesteryear of an umbrella.
Thirdly, notice how the pillar occupation is raked dorsum at an angle.
In contrast, let's expect at the lines of a dissimilar machine. Here's a 201:
Secondly, notice how lead the lines are for the runway, the undercurve too the pillar line. In actuality they're slightly curved, but to the naked oculus they expect really nearly similar lead lines. This is an of import clue.
Thirdly, expect at the angle of the pillar line. Now compare it to the pillar occupation of the model 15. On the 201, the pillar occupation is almost vertical.
Anyways, I'm non going to inquire you lot to position 201s simply yet, I'm simply showing it for contrast. The commencement stride is to travel able to position a model 15. So, let's expect at unopen to crappy pictures. Studying the rail too ski boundary areas, which of these machines are model 15's?
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Got it? Was it equally good easy? If so, don't worry, it volition acquire trickier.
And here's The Caveat: The Sandman identification shape is exact, foolproof too useful for everybody. Unfortunately, my organisation hither is alone going to travel useful to unopen to of you. Those of you lot whose vision is wired to travel artistic--"right brainers"--will accept no occupation picking this up, spell others to a greater extent than "left brain" or logic-inclined may detect it inscrutable. Don't experience bad if you lot can't selection this up, it's similar existence tall--you're either born tall or you're not. (And I'm not.)
Go on to:
Part 2: If it’s a model 15, what variety of 15?
Part 3: Is it a 201?
Part 4: Is it a 66?
Part 5: Is it a 99?
