UPDATE: I’ve been told, by knowledgeable folks at Treadle On, that this is a National that appears to be a New Home. It has faked out other folks. I will try and pull that information into a new post this week.
I’ve mentioned it before, but my first treadle was a Siegel-Cooper. I owned it way before I was on the internet and I didn’t know a thing about badged machines. We had it in the bus, and then I found a new home for it in Walla Walla. So, when I found a treadle head with the same decals, I bought it. This one said Den Danske Pioneer, which turns out to be the oldest Danish language newspaper in America, still published. I’ve been trying to find out which company made it and had assumed it was National. After investigation today, I believe it was New Home.
Here’s what it looks like:
Now, take a look at the links to this very nice New Home Light Running treadle. The base is very close to my original treadle. Links here, here, and here. They are very similar.
I managed to get the bobbin cover opened up. I’m using some lubricating spray called Deep Creep and it seems to work well. I am going to give this a spin over the weekend. I have a lot of sewing to do, so really don’t have time to do a lot this time. I’m putting it in the White base for now. That should work well enough for testing.
I have this same machine, just purchased at a yard sale. Most decals are worn off. Only #’s I could find are 1866 309. Has a very nice cabinet. What all can you tell me of this machine. Or where to look for more information.
I just got one of these the other day. Fortunately (maybe more resources available now?) I was able to eliminate NH pretty early by comparing various features even though a fair number of people insisted it was a NH, and identify it as a National Seamstress as you did. Fun to then find out that someone else had this exact journey eight years ago. Also frustrating that this isn’t on some awesome “National Sewing Machines” website.
Mine has a little less in the way of badging, and I ended up buying a UV flashlight (black light) and was then able to discern Den Danske Pioneer.
Could I get your serial number as I’d like to put together a bit of a database to try to figure out how many machines (or even roughly when) the DDP machines were made.
PS I’m also chair of the International Sewing Machine Collectors Society if that interests you.