Sewing Machine Antique 1881 Fiddlebase Mother Pearl Inlay Model 12 Treadle Desk

  

Sewing Machine Antique 1881 Fiddlebase Mother Pearl Inlay Model 12 Treadle Desk. A Singer 12 sewing machine was also called the Singer New Family sewing machine and nicknamed the Singer Fiddlebase due to the beautiful fiddle shape of the bed. Rare and beautiful piece of history. Black fiddlebase Singer sewing machine model 12 with mother of pearl inlay mounted on a treadle desk.

Serial number: 4,386,000. Falls in the range of serial numbers manufactured in 1881. 3,940,000 - 4,889,999 = 1881. There are a few needles. Belt is snapped and needs to be replaced.

Desk the sewing machine is mounted on is scratched, scuffed, and the iron base is rusting. The four drawers all open and the piece used to hold the side panel up is missing. There is a wooden cover that can be placed over the sewing machine when not in use. The treadle pedal still moves, but the belt is snapped and needs replacing. The sewing machine itself seems to be in good condition.

The internal parts appear intact (except for the shuttle and the bobbin). When the sewing machine wheel is turned, the needle moves in a smooth up and down motion. It is not possible to determine if the sewing machine still works (sews) due to the fact that the bobbin is missing, however, it appears it may. The bobbin winder on the side of the sewing machine is a little loose.

The flywheel has some rust as well. Hopeful this beautiful piece of history will find its way to a good home where it will be appreciated. The Singer Model 12 was well into production by the early 1860's, prototypes coming on line well before the mass marketing of the machine in 1865. Its shape and size was altered until the designers were happy with it and patents sorted.

The Singer 12 carried on with many modifications over the following years, slowly improving until it was completely replaced with new models at the end of the Victorian period. The Singer 12 or Singer New Family Sewing Machine hit the main market towards the end of the American Civil War around 1864-5 and lasted right up until 1902. It was in production for nearly 40 years. It was to be the finest sewing machine the world had ever seen at the time and the pinnacle of inventive genius from the design team at Singers. The Singer 12 sewing machine was also the first sewing machine that was easy to demonstrate as it was so'user friendly' to the masses.

It ticked all the boxes. The item "Sewing Machine Antique 1881 Fiddlebase Mother Pearl Inlay Model 12 Treadle Desk" is in sale since Tuesday, May 18, 2021. This item is in the category "Antiques\Sewing (Pre-1930)\Sewing Machines". The seller is "the_magic_cove" and is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This item can't be shipped, the buyer must pick up the item.

1. Maker: Singer
2. Original/Reproduction: Antique Original
3. Time Period Manufactured: Pre-1930
4. Featured Refinements: Treadle Sewing Machine