Mystery Vintage Singer Sewing Machine With Top+Bottom Feed

[Uwe]

I picked up some machinery from a lady who gave me an extra bonus machine she "had sitting around." It's rather old and the unusual part is the Bottom+Top feed mechanism, which reminds me of a Singer 7 class top feeding mechanism, except this one isn't super-sized like the Class 7's.

It has no model identifying marks other than "Singer" script labels. The serial number of G2721050 places it in the year 1913 as a class 16 machine, according to the Singer dating chart . So it's perhaps a Singer 16-141 or 16-188 based on the descriptions in the Singer 16 manual.

If any of you Singer vintage experts recognize this machine, I'd appreciate help in identifying the correct model subclass and any additional info you might have.

Here are some photos of the machine:

Edited December 17, 2015 by Uwe

[pcox]

16-88

[TinkerTailor]

Judging by the groove worn in the casting, that machine has run several metric miles of thread at least.......

[sandyt]

Can't help identify, but that's a nice extra bonus!! Does it work properly?

[Darren Brosowski]

What is the shuttle?

Looks like a 16-88 or 16-188.

If it has the long beak shuttle then it might be the a 42-5

[Uwe]

I took a few more pictures. The Singer 16-88 seems to be the most likely model. Some of the Singer 16-188 pictures I've found date from the 50's. Not sure if the 188 is a follow-up to the 88 or not.

It's actually a very interesting machine with an oscillating shuttle. The bobbin is on the small side. I haven't had a chance yet to try it out, but everything is moving quite smoothly. I'll report back once it's operational.

Here are a few pictures of the bottom and shuttle area of the machine:

[Wizcrafts]

Strip the old paint off and lay down a fresh coat. That machine will be good for another hundred years. I have a 1920s Singer 42-5 getting repainted right now. It is an excellent chaps machine.

[CowboyBob]

pcox is correct the 188 has a narrow(standard) base,the 88 wide base.

Edited December 17, 2015 by CowboyBob

[Constabulary]

I just have ripped apart a Singer 16 drop feed for spare parts (checking if the needle bar works for my dropped 34K) so if you need some extra bits send me a note. I don´t want much for the parts I don´t need. I have a complete shuttle race and all kind of screws, feed dog, needle plate... Just wanted to let you know.

[Uwe]

Thanks for offering Constabulary! I just looked up a few parts at UniversalSewing.com and to my surpise and delight these parts are in stock and cheap! The race assembly is $26 and a shuttle hook is $3.50 (!!!) . Gotta love Singer when it comes to ancient parts availability and prices. Since key parts are readily available, I think I'll give it a proper once-over. Now I'm more excited about this machine than the Singer 111W155 I bought from the lady!