1952 Singer 97-10

[CTK]

Hey ya'll, I recently uncovered my Grandpa's old leather sewing machine. I didn't know it was there, but a friend of his did and so we went hunting for it. Found it and pulled it out and it is actually in really good shape. We ran the serial number and it is a 1952 Singer 97-10 with the serial number AK973719. It doesn't really have much sign of wear, but the fuse/switch box is broken off and the belts need replacing. It does run pretty good though and still has a big old threaded needle from at least 20-30 years ago. Anyways, he has it and is looking to get it appraised, but not having much luck. He's been able to find that parts seem to be readily available, but nothing on value. He offered $400 on the spot if it ran- which it does- but neither one of us wants to rip the other off.

Anyways, I really don't mind selling it to him for $400, but I just want to make sure it's not some show piece worth a few thousand bucks lol. I doubt it is, but I thought I would check here and see if anybody has any idea what a fair price would be for that year. I figured it was more of a collector's piece, but he is intent on using it.

Any input on the rarity, value, or usability would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for anything ya'll have to offer!

Brian

[mogwild]

My wife uses one. Does it have the original stand under it ? Pictures would help determine value.

[CTK]

Everything on it appears to be 100% original. It stands dang near 6 feet high. My friend has it because he has been trying to get it appraised as well and to determine its functionability. Like I said it runs pretty good, but he just wants to make sure everything is in decent condition to last a while. I'll see if he can snap me some pics of it. I'm really just looking for a ballpark figure- trying to make sure it's not some incredibly rare and valuable piece.

Thanks for the input and I'll see about those pics.

[mogwild]

I've seen them from $400-$3000 in my area. The ones for sale for $3000, are still for sale.

Keep in mind genuine needles are rare, getting hard to find, so he'll have to run what he's got, or use Landis No 1 needles, or drop the bar and use the Adler needle (reduced capacity).

IMHO, I think they are still great stitcher's, and if he doesn't want it, let me know I have a thing for the old Iron.

Here's a bag my wife recently made, entirely on her Singer 97-10, they can still crank out great stuff.

Edited July 17, 2012 by mogwild

[CTK]

That's a quality bag right there. I am into falconry and have been looking around at game bags and stuff. Don't know what kinda bag that is, but it is equal to-if not better than- a lot of the stuff I've seen. Better edit that post and give a little credit to the wife lol/jk. That's a wide price range, but really all I expected to get with no pictures. Just estimating, but if $400 is bottom dollar IMO mine is worth more than that. Do people post these things for sale online and if so where can I find them. Might give me a better comparison of what I've got.

I'm gonna talk to him tomorrow about getting some pics. Hopefully, they'll help narrow the price range a bit. I know this guy ain't gonna pay a whole lot. But if he can get close I'd probably let him have it. He bought a lot of my Grandpa's old stuff before he died, so I figure my Grandpa would like for him to have it. He said he found a whole bag of needles for it, but I assume he wasn't talking about genuine ones.

Canada's a long ride from Mississippi, but I'll let you know. Somebody else emailed me from Wisconsin too. Seems like these things are pretty desirable.

Thanks for the help!

[mogwild]

Most I see for sale are in supply shops, like Tandy and the local saddle shop, posted on a pinboard on the wall, with the "take a number" on the bottom. Quite a few are on modern tables, with modern clutch motors, but occasionally you run across one on the original stand, to me that's a bonus, to others, maybe not, especially if you have to transport it

I know of 3 currently within a 4 hour driving radius, 2 on original stands, another on a modern stand, we already have one, but I keep an eye out, 2 is always better than one right?

I collect the machines, my wife uses them, so to me, I'd rather buy one that was being used up to the day I buy it, so I know its history. You should let your buddy have it for a reasonable fee if he's going to get it up and running, and has some of your grandfather's old tools already, sounds like a great way to let the legacy live on.

[CTK]

Took 4 grown men to get it loaded. Pretty sure one of them about threw out his back. I don't know, but I bet that thing was close to 1000 pounds. This one had the original motor as well. He plugged it in and it ran, but the belts were dry rotted and broke. He made some new belts but then it wouldn't run. Oiled it up or something and then it ran again and is still running a week later. He thinks the problem was either a fuse or it's in the switch. Either way it's running now. I just helped him get it to where he could get it appraised. Ultimately it is up to my Mom and her 3 siblings as to what they want to do. They left it to me to find out what I could. I'll probably end up telling them it's worth about $500 and they would be alright taking $400. That was his initial offer and I think it was fair. I just hope they can settle on a price because I don't want to have to go pick it back up.

Still gonna try and get some pics. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me about it. It helped out a lot.