Lostranger Report post Posted November 5, 2015 (edited) I thought about titling this thread "Dating a Champion Wide Throat", but we're not actually that close. I've had my Champion since 1982, but now that I'm using it as part of the portable harness and tack shop I'm building inside an Olson step van, I find myself curious about its origin. Bought it from a fellow named Dale and his last name was something like Brazel or Brassel. He lived somewhere in Illinois, and he kept Clydesdale horses. Dale was the first person who ever mentioned the name "Union Lockstitch" in my hearing. The glow of joy on his face as he mouthed the words convinced me that a Union Lockstitch was the ultimate leather stitcher, and I should own one someday. I never have, but I'm not dead yet. He and I unbolted the head from the stand and carried the two pieces up his basement stairs. I was young and strong, but I remember having all the load I wanted at the time. I've never had the head off the stand since that trip, and I've never again moved it without several helpers or mechanical assistance. It's heavy. I had always assumed that this machine was made in the twenties, but since I've recently learned that needle and awl machines were a product of the late nineteenth century, I'm thinking this one is older. This is the only Champion I've ever seen that was originally human powered. It is not mounted on a cast iron pedestal. The stand is a table-like arrangement with legs on each side. The illustrations in the photo copied manual I received with the stitcher show a metal seat suspended from the table and a set of pedals driving an eccentric shaft near the bottom of the stand. That shaft was belt coupled to a large, cast iron flywheel on the right side, and that flywheel drove the stitcher wheel through a step-down pulley. All that was left of the original drive when I got the machine was the flywheel. I removed that piece at some point—probably to save weight—and misplaced it along the way. Someone had attempted an electric drive conversion using a 3600 rpm, 1 HP motor and a pulley on an eccentric for a clutch. It worked poorly. Soon after I got the stitcher, I bought a Singer industrial drive motor with clutch from a fellow in Fithian, IL. Don't remember his name. The singer was obviously made before WWII because it has grease cups rather than zerks. Took me a while to get the mounts and ratios right, but the stitcher runs great with the Singer drive. I may have it running a bit slowly, but that's another issue. Does anyone know when Champion began selling these machines? Do they have serial numbers? I've never found one. I'm guessing mine is from an early batch. Dale told me it had been rebuilt shortly before he bought it. Neither he nor I have used it a lot. It's still tight and accurate to the best of my knowledge, but I'm still working on cleaning everything and replacing the missing thread holder. I'm also having to repair the mount for the thread tensioner since a friend who was storing the machine decided to move it without me and got in his usual hurry. One of the reasons I want to have a closer idea of when this machine was made is to use its age as a marketing tool. Many people are fascinated by old machinery—especially if it's still doing its job. Some will come to my shop just to see the antique at work. Others will come to see the old stitching machine. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Jim in NC P.S. I'll try to include a couple of photos, but TinyPic often rotates my photos 90 degrees left. http://postimg.org/image/45ozuhrr7/ http://postimg.org/image/6g0mw5x7p/ http://postimg.org/image/qv34ou5hb/ http://postimg.org/image/y3b6jxmml/ I had to do a bit of work to the drive after ten years of storage in a open shed. Works great now. Edited November 5, 2015 by Lostranger Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted November 5, 2015 One of the reasons I want to have a closer idea of when this machine was made is to use its age as a marketing tool. Many people are fascinated by old machinery—especially if it's still doing its job. Some will come to my shop just to see the antique at work. Others will come to see the old stitching machine. I can´t help you with information but I absolutely agree. For me old stitcher like yours and vintage heavy sewing machines in general are always related with a quality (experienced, old school) leather business. I can´t help my self but when I (as a leather customer or if I were a horse keeper or so) think of saddler's or harness makers shop or some other heavy leather workers I always have vintage machines on my mind. I think it´s a great idea using this old "Made in the USA" long lasting machine for marketing. I could imagine something like "Made from the best available leather & hardware - sewn in NC with US made thread on a 1898 (or so) US built heavy Champion Harness Stitcher..." or so but thats your part of course. This machine is screaming quality, isn't it? BTW - isn´t there a "Made in America day" or so? Maybe you can "jump on thats horse" Nice machien - I´m looking forward to seeing some more pictures. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lostranger Report post Posted November 5, 2015 Thanks for the nice words and helpful input, Constabulary. I found a better image hosting service, and I'll try to get some more photos up today. The stitcher looks good in the van even though the van is far from finished. The interior won't be paneled when I open for business, but it is well insulated, and I'm air drying the yellow pine that I will eventually turn into tongue and groove paneling. I won't be able to claim all American made since my light-duty machine is a Pfaff 230. Your overall point is well taken, however. I am one of the many who love to watch an old steam engine or hit 'n' miss or grist mill or antique tractor. My Champion has real eye appeal and a lovely-sounding "cha-chunk" rhythm. I'll also try to post the proof for my outside lettering. Simple but (I hope) eye catching. Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Constabulary Report post Posted November 5, 2015 was just and idea that came to my mind maybe for promoting US made bridles or horse harness or the like This is what I meant, I stumbled over it a while ago: http://www.americanmadematters.com/ Check Photobucket.com or click on the button MORE REPLY OPTIONS next to the "Post" button and you can upload the pictures to the forum Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dikman Report post Posted November 5, 2015 Now that is a beast! A wonderful piece of mechanical history. I love that first photo, with the Autumn trees in the background. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lostranger Report post Posted November 5, 2015 Thanks, dikman. Twas a lovely fall day. We still have good color. Here are a few more shots of the Champion inside the truck: http://s12.postimg.org/4qzy5a5q5/IMG_4546.jpg http://s23.postimg.org/c3beyapbf/IMG_4545.jpg http://s12.postimg.org/90duyxnr1/IMG_4547.jpg http://s9.postimg.org/cq9wy3ebj/IMG_4548.jpg http://s9.postimg.org/y024mojzz/IMG_4503.jpg That last shot was part of getting it into the van. Stitcher plus hoist was too tall for door. Made the process lots of fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hansons Carriage Report post Posted November 8, 2015 Beautiful! I've got 2 friends with Champions....wish I had one! (I just missed one, freshly rebuilt, for a couple hundred dollars!) I agree with the class of older machines. I run a Landis #1 and am working on a Pearson #6. Glad to see someone else crazy about the old stuff! John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
