RARE 1891 Willcox & Gibbs Noiseless Automatic Chain stitch sewing machine

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Willcox & Gibbs Noiseless Automatic chain-stitch sewing machine Serial # A304933 The Wilcox & Gibbs model 64 chain stitch sewing machine “…is the stable mate of many a collection around the world”. In 1856 the four“heavyweights” - Singer, Wheeler & Wilson, Grover & Baker and Howe Sewing Machine Companies were trying to solve the problems of patent litigation and did not have a time to address the issue of an average family’s financial limitations and almost overlooked the market demand for affordable family sewing machine. In 1855 after James E.Gibbs saw a simple illustration of a Grover & Baker machine it triggered the new idea. The rotating hook on the main shaft could enter into the loop formed by the friction from the treaded needle going up through the fabric, elongate it and hold expanded while the feed dog moved the fabric until the needle at the next needle bar down stroke goes through the previously formed loop, getting drawn through it and therefore to form a chain. Then in 1856 after actually witnessing a Singer model # 1 machine in action (patent #8394) Gibbs has come to the obvious conclusion that the machine was too heavy, complicated, cumbersome and too expensive. He has decided to create a less-expensive and simple type of sewing machine. James Gibbs and Charles Willcox has obtained a few patents( major one # 1 7,427 on June 2, 1857 ) and patented the Automatic tension and feed improvements, a few more patents for the method of removing the twists in the thread that caused so many missed stitches on the early models and also a patent for noise reduction on the feed. After that they formed “Willcox & Gibbs SMC” and the first commercial chain stitch sewing machine has been patented and produced in 1857 and became a great success immediately ! The W & G Automatic Elastic Chain stitch Noiseless nickel plated sewing machine Model 64 was sold for a half price of competitors Grover & Baker and Wheeler & Wilson sewing machines that were selling for around $110. Of course ,the W&G Machines with very ornamental iron stands with casters , mahogany cabinet and specially with truly rare unique cover and working table that could slide out on the railing system cost a lot more .The average wages at that time were $3.00 per week .Just imagine - It is 8 mo of wages for sewing machine. . That particular model of cabinet patented on May 2 1866 and made by A.J.Thompson of Boston, MA. The upper “coffin” cover has the lock with the key, it opens up and slides completely out on the uniquely designed railing system . The lower raised table with drawer also could slides out to opposite direction or could be continue to be used as the raised working surface . I have very carefully restored the wood surface, all slides, attached the strips of brown glove leather to the bottom of all slides and around the bottom perimeter of both covers to assure the smooth gliding back and forth and to prevent precious mahogany surface from scratching .I cannot determine the real age of this cabinet –there are 3 different patents dates on the legs and treadle dated back from 1858 to 1870. The W&G Automatic Silent Chain stitch machine serial # A 304933 and dates to 1891 . ( This machine has the serial # A 304933 . Formula to figure the age : from 304933 minus 279638 =25295 . then divide it by 17500= 1.44 take first 2 digits ( 14) and add it to 1877 = 1891.) The set of Original Vintage W&G attachments comes with this machine . Original manual and instructions included . Please note: I can offer the number of options to package this machine and It would depends on the new destination location . 1. Completely take it apart : remove the machine from the table , treadle wheel and iron stand from the cabinet ( total of 10 screws ) and to pack it together with cover and sliding board in one carton with a lot of impact absorption media . The table is not big -29x18x4''. The folded treadle is 29 x14 x14",two covers - 18x11x 9 and 6x12 x10 . The head is relatively small and will fit... read more

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