ISMACS Singer Serial Number lookup. Look up your Singer Sewing Machine Serial Number to find out when your machine was made and identify what model.
'Can you tell me what my old (vintage/antique) sewing machine is worth?' This is by far the most asked question I hear from my blog readers. Sadly, I am not an Appraiser and cannot give you an estimated value on your old sewing machine. But what I can do is give you information to help you get closer to finding a value on your own.In some ways, putting a price on an old sewing machine can be subjective. How can you put a dollar amount on sentimental value? And is something worth money just because it is old?
Actually, there are lots of variables to estimating the worth of an old sewing machine, so let's look at the most important; the make/model and date, the condition, and any extras that may be included with the machine.IDENTIFY YOUR MACHINEA Japanese Clone tagged with the name 'Morse'. Once you know the specific brand and make or model of your machine, it makes it easier to search for more information about your machine. Use the links below to find out more about your machine.BERNINAThere aren't any comprehensive lists for identifying models or manufacture dates for old BERNINA machines available online.
You can try visiting to find out if they can help, you might get lucky and find an authorized BERNINA Technician that's been around forever and knows all about the older models. Or you can look at this brief at BERNINA.com to see if you can find a similar model to yours. And some Singer machines are more saught-after than others!
Here's an article listing the, and many people who collect and sew with vintage Singer machines do love and seek out these particular models.WHITECheck out the at the ISMACS site.MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER BRANDSThere were a small handful of manufacturers who made 'generic' machines in the mid 20th Century (like the Morse pictured above). Many of them were based on a Singer class 15 machine, and are commonly known as 'Singer Clones' -. If your sewing machine looks a lot like these machines but has an off brand name, chances are you have a generic or clone machine.CONDITIONPoor condition - it works, but has rust and damage to the finish.
The overall condition of your machine is one of the biggest factors in estimating a value. Make sure to take a very thorough inventory of your machine and record the condition of the finish, any electrical cords or belts, decals, chrome or metal parts, motor, the inside working parts of the machine, and how the machine works or performs. Be sure to also look closely at the condition of the case or cabinet, including if it is still original to the machine and if it has been refinished or restored. The overall condition can be communicated by one of the following terms:Mint = Still new from the factory, in original packaging or condition, and never, ever used. It is nigh impossible to find an old sewing machine in mint condition!Excellent = In the best shape possible, but used.
No chips, scratches or dents, no wear or tear, no rust or dust, in top notch running order. Complete with no parts missing.Very Good = May have a few scratches or small cosmetic blemishes, dents or dings, but works well and does not need any additional work to use the machine.
Complete with no parts missing.Good = Some cosmetic damage to finish, but nothing to keep the machine from working. May be missing some accessories or manual.Fair = A machine that has definitely been used, possibly not kept up as well as others. Usual wear and tear for a well used machine, pin scratches, some dings in finish, some rubbing off of decals, but machine should work. Some accessories missing or in non-working order, manual may be damaged or missing.Poor = A machine that has been used hard or has weathered badly. Extensive damage to the finish like rubbed off decals, scratches from use, dings in the finish, possibly some surface rust.
Electrical cords may be frayed, and machine should work, but is not in top-notch running order. Probably missing some or all accessories or manual, or parts like extra bobbins. Definitely needs a little TLC and possibly some restoration.Parts Only/Parts Machine = Totally unable to be salvaged for use, and is being sold ONLY for the parts in the machine.Most importantly, when you are comparing your machine to others just like it to try and find a value, refer to the conditions listed. Is your machine in comparable condition to the one you are looking at, or is it in worse or better shape?
Anonymoussaid.Nice article. I think the main piece of advice when valuing your machine is 'get ready for disappointment'. Sewing machines seem to be considerably undervalued in the marketplace - probably because so many lasted. At any given time - at least where I live on the East Coast - there are at least a dozen antique treadles (in various conditions) listed in the online classifieds, and many vintage machines from the '30s to '60s as well. Even with the original cabinet or case, working antiques rarely sell for more than $100.00, and the vintage machines for around $50. Some exceptions for rare or pristine machines, or machines with really fancy tables I'm sure.
I bought my 1860s Singer treadle for $70. I also have several of those all-metal '50s 'portables' I picked up for no more than $30 each. Said.Has anyone heard of the Lady Kenmore sewing machine?
I have one from 1959, made in Germany. It's a pfaff 260 under the name of kenmore. I have the original table, accessories, manuals, and even the square cloth that a seamstress used to test the actual machine prior to selling it.
It's in good condition, the cams are clean and intact. It will need a service to oil and clean the inside since it hasn't been used in 20 years. Grandma stopped sewing due to her arthritis. Is this machine worth anything? I find it beautiful. Anonymoussaid.I know nothing about sewing machines, but my mother in law has a very old one.
It is a Singer Treadle. The area where the Serial No is says “No 50475” then underneath that it says “No 61”. The patent has 4 dates, August 2, 1892 April 5, 1898, February 12, 1901 & March 25, 1902. There is what appears to be a brass plaque that has stamped in it “61W2” on the machine just beneath the gold scrolls. It is on a very nice wooden table top with a wrought iron base (legs) and foot (treadle). Can anyone tell me what model it is. My email is [email protected] (nikki at htc dot net).
Thank you very much (in advance). Anonymoussaid.What a lot of non-sewists fail to realise is that no matter how old your machine, or how cute or whatever, it still has to be sold to someone who sews, which are in the minority of the population. Even among sewists the demand for vintage machines isn't that high so you are looking at a very tiny niche market for your xyz sewing machine. Unless it's a very early, very sought after major brand model complete with all accessories, in perfectly maintained and working order, it's very likely to languish on CL or eBay at $50.
Said.Yes Anonymous, there is a bit of truth to that, just because it's old doesn't make it worth a lot of money. Some models were manufactured for years and are really common - like the Singer 66 machines. I found one years ago, and since have found several more at next to nothing, plus see more 66 machines often.And the other issue is people posting machines at totally inflated prices.
Just because someone sees a vintage machine for sale at a high price doesn't mean anyone will actually purchase it for that price! Cheers - Erika. Andrewsaid.I would appreciate your opinion on my sewing machine manufactured by your company (GROVER & BAKER) in approx 1859 ( going by the gold stamp/disc on the side). It is in excellent condition & unbelievably its with all its attachments, including what looks like the original reel of cotton. The number stamped on the top is 434529.
The timber is in perfect condition and gold leaf is intact. I have attached photos and await your reply with anticipation. Please email me at [email protected]. Thanks and hope to hear from you soon.Andrew Cole.
(1 item)Well kept Model 600 from the early 60's. Has all original parts, and still runs well. I apologize that it looks a bit grimy in the pix. I hadn't had a chance to clean off more than 50 years of fingerprints, and odd bits of grime left by 5 kids and 12 Grandchildren that had helped my mother put the machine away each time she was finished using it.
She was usually very tired at that point, and since whatever she was sewing was usually for one of us, it was our responsibility to stow the machine back in it's cubbyhole until we needed it again. My mother always kept a cloth runner over top of the wooden desk when it was closed, so it wouldn't get scratched or damaged.These pictures of my family sewing machine, where my sister and I each learned to sew 40-50 years ago, were taken at the estate sale after we had moved our father out of the only family home I ever knew about two years ago now.
My mother's been gone almost 20 years now, and the sewing machine was supposed to be mine. You'd never know it was so old if you didn't think about it.It can do almost everything the fancy new plastic ones can do. All sorts of fancy stitching, embroidery, of course button holes, and accommodate absolutely any material (if you use the right needle), I'm not exactly anything one might call a seamstress, but I can hem a pair of pants, or fix a split seam if I need to. I have no need for a sewing machine like this, save for sentimental reasons, and I am disabled, unable to work, and live in a tiny apartment with my service dog and ancient cat. I have nowhere to put such a piece of furniture.I guess what I'm doing here with this show and tell, is trying to find out if there is any point trying to sell this machine? Does anyone think there is a market for such a piece?
Or should I just throw it in my storage locker and hope one of my nieces or nephews gets bit by the sewing bug, and decides they want Grandma's old reliable Singer? I'd appreciate any advice. Right now it is buried under a bunch of other stuff I couldn't bear to just give to Goodwill when we cleaned out the family home. Otherwise, I would've tried to take better photos, and show what it looks like with the machine stored.
The top is just wood, the machine vanishes from sight completely.;-) Use your imagination.The drawers also happen to be full of a bunch of notions that I can include in the package. It includes the ORIGINAL Instruction Manuel (a bit battered, but not too worse for wear), The Buttonholer (part #W642N), in it's own case, and the accessory disks for embroidering. If nothing else, someone may want those things. They aren't anything I should ever use.Please feel free to respond to this post to give me ideas of what I might be able to do.
Or tell me to cut my losses, It's not worth it. I just remember this sewing machine cabinet being the most expensive new thing my Mother said she had ever owned (outside of their actual house), I'd hate to sell it for a fraction of what she paid all those years ago. I also hate to think of it collecting dust in storage until I can either move to a bigger place, of find a suitable home for it in the family. If anyone thinks I've got a snowball's chance you know where, of selling it for more that it will cost to move it, Please, I'd love to hear from you. Comments., 4 years agoYour Singer 600 may not bring much money, but it is one of the 'good' Singer zigzaggers with metal gears (instead of now-crumbly plastic).
Someone will want it. You have good photos of the front; I suggest adding photos that show the foot controller (or kneebar if it has that), the serial number, and the embroidery disks., 4 years agoTamar, thank you for the advice. The fact of it being an entirely metal machine, that is electric, but has ALL the fancy features, (actually, I thought it was the first of thus such, but could be wrong) is why I hoped I could find it a good home without having to just give it away. It does have the kneebar, but I'm 95% certain it also has the foot pedal. I will definitely figure out a way to get photos of them before I list it for sale.It may take me awhile to be able to dig it out enough for taking them. I will also figure out the serial number, and add a photo of the disks.I have that already.
Thanks again!., 4 years agoMy name is Del. My mother has the exact same cabinet and machine as yours. I can't say what your mother's machine is worth, but I consider my mother's machine to be PRICELESS. Her machine broke and it's going to cost 200 dollars to fix. They tried to sell her a new product but I told her absolutely not. Her sewing machine is probably the most personal possession she has. It represents all the care and love she gave to me, my two sisters, and Dad.
It would seem to be an absolute shame if you were'nt able to keep it in your family. God bless you and keep you in good health., 4 years agoDel, thank you for your comment. I still don't know what I'm going do do with the machine, but I appreciate the encouragement., 2 months agoGood Morning.??Wondering if you still have this item., 2 months agoYes, I do still have it.Want to post a comment?or in order to post a comment.