Rare Restored Henry Stewart Hand Crank Sewing Machine Fiddle Base w/ Story For Sale

this listing is fora:Rare Restored 1879 [(?) i think this date is about right] Henry Stewart Fiddle Base Hand Crank Sewing Machine - that Sews Very Well (see the sew test in the pictures).the entire unit has been: Cleaned, Repaired (wood base re-glued, slide plate replaced, screws that hold the machine to the base were replaced with nice brass screws, and the closest belt guard screw was replaced), Serviced/sew tested/adjusted and restored to a fine looking & working order. there appear to be some interesting stories about Henry Stewart and some of his New York City made sewing machines produced around the time i think this one was. this may be one of those machines. i acquired it from New Jersey about 1 yr ago. here\'s more of what i did to greatly improve it: cleaned and polished all metal parts...cleaned the gear teeth and properly adjusted their positioning...repainted most of the machine except the belt guard & inner cover for the hand crank (both of which still show original design details rather well)...the upper part of the machine was clear coated with polyurethane, the underside was only repainted...re-glued/sanded and stained & sealed the solid walnut wood base (the bottom of the base was sanded & stained slightly only...the bottom of the wood base is basically smooth & other rusty parts used to attach it to a cabinet were moved)...the parts on the outside ends of the base were removed/cleaned/oiled and put back on...added a model 12 needle... and replaced the bobbin winder tire and notched screw hole about 1/4\" to the left to make the tire contact the hand wheel better (now the winder winds bobbins well. this machine comes with one original bobbin - that i wound on this machine - & it\'s original shuttle). the hand crank should be turned away from the user/clockwise, otherwise the hand wheel screw may start to unwind itself. the crank works well in both direction (when not sewing) fwiw. when winding a bobbin, if you seem to have started it \"the wrong way\"...just remove the bobbin and reverse it. it should be fine now. also, this machine has openings in the wooden base so it can be run/powered by a treadle machine.
- look at & study my pictures for more detail & visual information. - as always, i clean-up & fix-up beat-up screw heads as i go/as i work through the machine i\'m working on. -
for those who might need a user\'s guide for this machine: make a search for Singer model 12 and/or new family sewing machine and pdf copies/links for the machine should come up in the search results. also search youtube for videos on how to use these machines if i do not accept returns. i do my best to describe my items accurately. i will insure this machine when i ship it via UPS. i will provide tracking information after i ship the machine. an adult signature will be required when the machine arrives. this machine will be very well packed:: double boxed/bubble wrapped/strong tape and all. see my other listings and currently listed sewing machines if interested. ***
*** I was a Husqvarna Viking certified & trained sewing machine, serger & quilting machine repairman/technician for about 4 yrs. then my mother sold her Albany, NY Viking dealership in April 2011. i repaired and serviced about 1,000 machines during that time. now i just repair machines by appointment only & i purchase and fix-up only those machine that i want to work on or that i like. my focus is on Singer 15-91, 201-2 potted gear machines, 66\'s, 27/127\'s, bentwood case machines, fiddle base machines & usually the older - oldest hand crank machines...or any good/interesting sewing machine restoration project. ***

---