SlantZone

  This is the Italian made version of the 411G. Not often seen here in UK but I believe it was made in much smaller quantities than the German machine, & that was not made in huge quantities by any means. It is identical mechanically & takes the Top Hat cams & can do an excellent chain stitch.  This one came in a neat desk style cabinet but it was also available as a conventional portable version with a slightly different case.  There may also be a treadle version, as a factory option, but I have not seen one. I found this on Ebay a few years ago, 2016, assuming it was a 411G & it was a surprise to discover it was the Italian version, which I was not aware of then!  Serial number is MA 038602 & the Italian made cabinet has a factory label dated January 1964. The seller told me: 'it was her mothers, was expensive new, & needed some adjustments'. It just needed a service actually! I do think this a proper 'Collectors Item', if you collect 400 se...

Found a real Wertheim Superba recently & it arrived yesterday, unscathed in the shipping: ) The MoP crazy paving border attracted my eye, but I didn't know it was a Wertheim at that point. (Thanks to Olaf & Unknown Artist on VSS for the ID: ) Came with a shuttle & a single bobbin but missing the RH slideplate. Mechanically it is as good as you will find. Turns over smoothly, has been well maintained, no rust anywhere & all the brightwork is shiny & clean! Bobbin winder is complete & smooth & works as it should. It is badged as Robert Nelson & Co, the UK importers. Decals are 70% I would say, just some wear on the table as you would expect on a used machine 125+ years old. SN is S6530387 which I believe is mid 1890s. Looks good from all angles & after a clean & polish it will gleam I'm sure: ) Very happy with it you could say. The woodwork is very nice, the cover also but it is missing its handle & no key for the lock... I can live wit...

 Chance online find here, which I thought was a pretty machine in fair order for not much money. On arrival it didn't disappoint. Arrived undamaged. Always a positive! It turned over freely, looked complete & has a very nice bentwood case, with a key: ) Has some Mother of  Pearl inlaid flowers on the table & shiny Nickel Plated brightwork. The slide plates are free, it turns over freely with a little oil in the right places. Not tried stitching yet, but I'm confident it will when I do: ) Only potential snag is that it uses 13x1 needles & they are long out of production. Happily, when I have a close look in the Accessory Box I find 15 needles which look unused: ) I'm just checking online to confirm. Victorian Sweatshop Forum is where I usually start. In this pic you can clearly see the 100 stamp & this relates to the group of 10 needles above. They are long needles, slightly over 44mm on my (not super accurate) Vernier calipers, but I'm pretty sure they ...