Singer New Family Model 12 and 13 sewing machine

SINGER NEW FAMILY,
Model 12 & 13

The Singer New Family machine was introduced in America c1863 and in Great Britain it seems to have become available c1866. The New Family machine would later become known as the Singer 12 and was manufactured in enormous numbers with production eventually ending with a small batch of 100 machines being commissioned in 1902. So successful was the design it was copied by almost every other sewing machine manufacturer.
It is a transverse shuttle machine using a "boat" type shuttle. A series of minor modifications were made to the machine during its long production run, the most notable was to the tension adjustment which was changed from a thumb screw on the face-plate to the top of the needle head - alongside the presser and needle bars (c1873). The machine was produced both as a hand crank and a treadle machine with various styles of cabinet work available.
The Singer 13 was introduced c1870, designed as a semi industrial machine it was only available as a treadle. Like the Singer 12 it was copied by numerous other Companies many of whom improved the machine by increasing the amount of cotton the bobbin could hold - a basic design flaw that Singer seems to have failed to rectify. Besides being a significantly larger machine than the Singer 12 the Singer 13 has an extra inspection plate on the bed which makes it easy to identify.
DATING: The Singer Company still holds the date of commissioning for its machines. The Singer Company has now put this information online go to Singer Machine Serial Numbers.
The Singer 12 and 13 have the Serial Number located on the bed of the machine at the base of the pillar. Earlier machines have dual serial numbers in this case it is the larger of the two numbers that is used.
MANUAL: We would like to obtain an original good condition manual for this model

Singer
Introduction

Type 48 K
Transverse Shuttle

Improved Family
Model 15

V.S. 2, V.S. 3
Type 27, 28, 128

Model
66 and 99,

Featherweight
221 and 222

Singer
Accessories

British Made
Machines

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New Family Serial No. 1903896 323096.
Made in 1874 at Singers Scottish Bridgeton factory, this machine has the Scroll and Roses Decal which has some minor chipping in places and black japanned balance wheel.
The slide-plate has a circular hole in the end to assist opening and no less than eleven Patent dates are listed commencing Sept 10 1846 (the famous Elias Howe Patent), through 1849, 1850, 1851, 1854 up to Oct 8 1855.
The tension adjustment is by way of a screw on the face plate.
This machine slides into a paneled box case (see next but one) which has an accessory compartment fixed within the case.

New Family (Model 12) Serial No. 2108516 407716.
This machine was commissioned on May 27th 1876. Found on a very bitter December day at a local antique fair we just had to bring it home.
It is worn in the usual places and the japanning is chipped in places. The decals are again of the scroll and rose pattern but the guard and crank have the Peacock Tail decal.
By this date the slide-plate no longer lists the Patent dates and is stamped with the Singer Trade Mark instead.
This machine has a bentwood case.

New Family (Model 12).
Serial No. 6759107
1199307
Fiddle base machine dated to 1883. It is in beautiful condition with hardly any wear to the decals, note the Singer name now appears on the arm of the machine. Unusually the hand crank has a bone handle. Rather than having a bentwood cover this version slides into a paneled box case with a hinged door.

Right: Photo showing the machine part in/part out of the case.

New Family (Model 12)
Serial No. 8515701
2135401
Dated to October 31st 1888. Again this machine has the gold painted decals. There is a little wear to the bed, but only that of use. This machine came as a chance find at a junk shop and was the machine that really started us collecting!
The Case of this machine is shown on the Cases & Bases Page

New Family (Model 12) Serial No. 9441791.
Dating to 1890, this machine has the wonderful 'Peacock Tail' decals which are in very good condition. The balance wheel is nickel plated and the bobbin winder has a level feed device which we understand was only fitted to machines made at the Kilbowie factory.
When we first found this machine it had been butchered for the stand but it came complete with the top, drawer and paneled cover. After several years searching we found a suitable Singer 12 stand on which it could be mounted. This particular stand has the Registered Design Mark for April 1879.

See also the Cases & Bases Page

New Family (Model 13) Serial No. 4643957.
Currently awaiting restoration, this Singer 13 dates to 1881. Overall this example is in excellent condition particularly the decals. Note the additional inspection plate at right angles to the slide-plates.
The stand has the large Singer Shuttle Trade Mark cast into both sides. When not in use the machine is covered by a large paneled box cover, the table has a small drawer.

Singer
Introduction Type 48 K
Transverse Shuttle Improved Family
Model 15 V.S. 2, V.S. 3
Type 27, 28, 128 Model
66, 99 Featherweight
221, 222 Singer
Accessories Back to
The Gallery Home

This web page was created by David & Lin Best Š2005 - 2007

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The Singer New Family machine was introduced in America c1863 and in Great Britain it seems to have become available c1866. The New Family machine would later become known as the Singer 12 and was manufactured in enormous numbers with production eventually ending with a small batch of 100 machines being commissioned in 1902. So successful was the design it was copied by almost every other sewing machine manufacturer. It is a transverse shuttle machine using a "boat" type shuttle. A series of minor modifications were made to the machine during its long production run, the most notable was to the tension adjustment which was changed from a thumb screw on the face-plate to the top of the needle head - alongside the presser and needle bars (c1873). The machine was produced both as a hand crank and a treadle machine with various styles of cabinet work available. The Singer 13 was introduced c1870, designed as a semi industrial machine it was only available as a treadle. Like the Singer 12 it was copied by numerous other Companies many of whom improved the machine by increasing the amount of cotton the bobbin could hold - a basic design flaw that Singer seems to have failed to rectify. Besides being a significantly larger machine than the Singer 12 the Singer 13 has an extra inspection plate on the bed which makes it easy to identify. DATING: The Singer Company still holds the date of commissioning for its machines. The Singer Company has now put this information online go to Singer Machine Serial Numbers. The Singer 12 and 13 have the Serial Number located on the bed of the machine at the base of the pillar. Earlier machines have dual serial numbers in this case it is the larger of the two numbers that is used. MANUAL: We would like to obtain an original good condition manual for this model
	Singer Introduction
	Type 48 K Transverse Shuttle
	Improved Family Model 15
	V.S. 2, V.S. 3 Type 27, 28, 128
	Model 66 and 99,
	Featherweight 221 and 222
	Singer Accessories
	British Made Machines
	Return to The Gallery
	Home