One step closer...

Looks like it is indeed a badged Eldredge. I found this:


From Sears, 1880s or 90s. So mine is an updated version of this, I believe, from 1910 and badged differently as "American." Same treadle and leg designs (minus the badge); same drawer hardware, and same case design (I understand many of these were very different). I think the badge would have been again located in that gaping oval in the center of the stand (there's little round holes, like it might have had something mounted there). Still don't know who branded this as the "American" model, but it would likely be Sears or Montgomery Ward, I think...I'll have to question my grandmother about where they ordered most of their things. She wouldn't have been born yet, but they may have only had access to one or two catalogs, as far out as they were.

Pat us on the back

We passed another inspection! After all the nasty things I've said about the city inspectors, I think it's worth noting that the HVAC inspector was one of the nicest people I've met here in town. He sighed and clucked about our hail damage and what a shame it is, and he told me about the people a bit further north who had hail go though their wooden lap siding, through the sheetrock, and into the rooms. Ouch.

He also oohed and aahhed over my sewing machine.


It's not a Singer, so I'm trying to do a little research. Maybe you sewing fanatics out there can help me...Perhaps someone will accidentally click their way here through Google...

It has a list of the patent dates, ranging from 1879 to 1909. I don't think it's much later than '09, simply because I know that this was the machine my great grandmother used-- my grandmother was the youngest, born in 1918, and the oldest who just passed away a few weeks ago, was born in 1910, I think. It saw a LOT of use, which is why it's amazing what beautiful shape it's in.


It seems to work, by the way-- it needs a belt, but the needle does indeed go up and down when you crank the fly wheel. The "American" mark is all I see that indicates any company or model name. It also has what I think might be a buttonhole overseam contraption:


This was my first thought, anyway. Then I discovered that there was a company called the American Buttonhole and Overseam company, or thereabouts, and they marketed a sewing/buttonhole machine combo. But I can't find anything about them producing machines past the late 1800s. So I'm currently stumped. I suppose I'll hit up the library or the Smithsonian's digital archives. But I thought I'd throw it out there in case anyone knows anything...

Here's a few more details.



"It leads the world"

Pretty elaborate for a farming family out in the sticks, huh?

Ideas?