wertheim sewing machine serial number database

That same “Paperclip” decal set tells you when. On the same ISMACS site you can also find out that the “Paperclip” decal set was introduced in 1940s I think, but anyhow way after 1900, and the shiny bits are chromed while back in 1900 they used nickel coating that is less shiny.

Then you look it up and discover when the machine was made. For example, the one in the picture has serial number P198470 engraved in front of the main column. No special notation, but they keep the original serial number. Or may be I’m just looking for a justification to get a “Paperclip”. The original 27K had smaller feed dogs, and I just wonder whether that would work better for the finest jersey and chiffon, where I use Singer 48K now. And now I want to go back to the original 27K… Yeah, it’s weird. I’ve already had a Singer 27K before, as well as a Singer 127K – its successor, and even wrote a post comparing the two. Some of these refurbishments were done by Singer, others by third parties, but all the replacement parts have Singer markings, so they must have been made available by Singer, along with the decals. The machines were typically stripped of all paint, repainted, new decals applied (Singer “Paperclip” design), Singer badge reinstated, parts replaced as required, put in a wooden case and equipped either with a motor or a hand-crank. Oh, I’m sure there was no deception involved at the time of sale, but the machine looked new and the kids didn’t necessarily realise that it was “vintage” from the beginning. The present day owners often have no idea that their mum’s machine bought “new” in 1950s was in fact built 50 years before. The machine I’m looking at to add to the collection, is a Singer 27K in its second life: built around the turn of the last century, many larger machines were completely refurbished after the war to cover the shortage of new full-sized machines. There is no vaccine and no cure has so far been found. Apparently, you can catch it from your grandma’s inheritance, at car boot and garage sales, in thrift and antique stores, etc. It’s a different story for those infected with the incurable VASM virus (Vintage and Antique Sewing Machines). I have the luxury of being able to afford top of the range machines of yesteryear for the simple reason that they are not worth much anymore – to those who don’t use them. My existing sewing crew covers almost all of my needs, and that “almost” bit is what keeps me going. I currently have 12 lockstitch machines in active use, plus 3 overlockers, plus 1 little chain stitcher, plus 4 machines that need a little work to come into active duty.

Want? Ah, now we are getting somewhere… 😉

Wertheim sewing machine serial number database