Is there anyone alive who knows how to thread a USMC Outsole Stitcher?

[JeepishGrin]

I have an ancient USMC (United Shoe Machinery Corporation) outsole stitching machine; model ORL - sometimes called, "Model O".  It is in the class of the Landis Curved Needle Machines.  My machine is a lock stitch machine.  I've got the parts and adjustment manuals, but not an instruction manual on how to use the machine.  The machine is in good working condition and it came with lots of spare parts - but I don't know how to thread it.  I want to use it in my shoe making hobby.

I was given the machine by the son of a USMC service technician.  This machine - once used at the Justin Boot Factory in Texas - hasn't been used in over thirty years.  The man's father used to service this machine and USMC gave it to him when he retired.   I'm hoping somebody out there knows someone who has one of these machines, used to operate one, has an instruction manual or knows where I can get one.  

USMC was sued by the federal government because they had a virtual monopoly on shoe making equipment back in the twenties and thirties.  Due to their monopoly status, you'd think these old machines would be somewhat plentiful, but so far I haven't found anyone who has one.

[Uwe]

Sigourney Weaver probably knows. 

Edited February 19, 2017 by Uwe

[MADMAX22]

I would start by trying to contact any of the oldest shoe making places that you can. Pretty sure this is an exclusive to shoe manufacturers so anyone out of that circle who knows details of use are gonna be far and few inbetween. 

Even then it may be a 1 in a hundred or more chance. 

[Constabulary]

maybe pilgrim shoe & sewing machine co

http://www.pilgrimshoemachine.com/

or in the UK

https://www.tesmc.com/machines-home

http://www.shoerepairmachinery.co.uk/

afaik same Co. but different website:

http://www.goodyearweltmachinery.co.uk/

Edited February 19, 2017 by Constabulary

[Evo160K]

This is in the Smithsonian, might be a long shot.

Guide to the United Shoe

Machinery Corporation Records

http://amhistory.si.edu/archives/AC0277.pdf

Constabulary is correct, contact Pilgrim, they show the ORL-O on their website and say they have parts.  http://www.pilgrimshoemachine.com/sewing_machine.html

Edited February 19, 2017 by Evo160K

[MADMAX22]

He has already been in contact with pilgrim, in his other thread he was able to source a manual from them. Maybe forgot to ask and wanted to thread it over the weekend or pilgrim doesnt know much about this particular machine. 

Edited February 19, 2017 by MADMAX22

[GPaudler]

On 2/18/2017 at 9:22 PM, Uwe said:

Sigourney Weaver probably knows. 

Good one Uwe, it does look like the Alien!