ANTIQUE 1876 WHEELER & WILSON No. 8 TREADLE SEWING MACHINE IN CABINET
VERY GOOD ANTIQUE CONDITION
ESTATE SALE FIND --- Sold as is
MOVES Up & Down FREE & EASY
Wheeler & Wilson's No.8 machine was introduced in 1876 and some 620,000 machines were made before production ended in favor of the New No.9 machine in 1887. This one, according to the plate was made in 1876.
The No.8 was the company's first domestic straight needle machine and it was hoped that it would turn the company's fortunes around as its main rival, the Singer Manufacturing Co., had a few years earlier become America's largest manufacturer of sewing machines.
Wheeler & Wilson needed a new machine to regain their market position, a machine which was a quantum leap beyond their current machine whilst still remaining faithful to the rotary hook principle. The engineer behind this replacement was James Alford House and the resultant machine was called the 'Number 8'.
The No. 8 was designed for Family and Light Manufacturing and could be adapted to run by hand, treadle or steam power. The new No.8 along with the company's other new straight needle machines (no's 6 and 7) were awarded The Grand Gold Medal and Diploma at the Paris International Exhibition of 1878.
No. 8 Serial No. 234821
This machine has a nickel plated balance wheel and yoke and some 13,000 No. 8 machines were produced with these particular features.
CABINET MEASURES: 39" x 24" x 29 1/4" When Opened