My collection
I have collected a few other machines as well as my beloved Pinnocks and restored them, the only thing they have in common is I was drawn to them when I found them listed for sale and they were not expensive machines. These are the European and US, machines. Some imported by companies to sell and market here in Australia. Others brought over by immigrants. Some lovely European machines can be found in Australia.
With immigration at its height in Australia post WW11 and in the 1950’s, some machines were brought over from Europe, others marketed here to the new multicultural citizens of Australia. There was a huge influx of German and Italian migrants as well as others and the machines I tend to find are described as…. “this belonged to mum or grandma” …she came to Australia after the war. My own parents being amongst this influx from Germany. The mid-century (and earlier) all metal machines are all so different and wonderful . Some have turned out to be real diamonds in the rough, others not so much. Many of these machines I have found fitted with the powerful Wernard Australian made motor and as such all still work today. I have not yet found one burnt out Wernard, so that says a lot.
Below are the more interesting machines in my collection. Some are common, some not so much, some sought after and some just neglected. Even one or two that are in such beautiful condition, that apart from oiling, cleaning and running every now and again, I am loath to use, as I dare not damage them.
Where possible I have tried to locate the manual for the machine, these are uploaded to my google drive account file “Sewing machine manuals” and the link will be on machines page. Please feel free to download for personal use, please do not use these to sell, these manuals should be free for the benefit of all who own one of these works of art.
For more information on European machines, I suggest you check out a German website. Das Verzeichnis – Naehmaschinenverzeichnis
Below are some of my European and USA machines.
1960s, a rescue machine that has been stored in someone’s shed for many years.
Portable straight stitch.
Aluminum body.
Anker-Phoenix A.G. Bielefeld
Heavy little machine, with smooth German precision.
This machine has seen little use and is near perfect.
Fitted with a Wernard motor.
circa 1954
Anker-Werke A.G. Bielefeld
circa 1956
All metal, except for the belt.
Takes cams for fancy stitches.
Portable free arm, made in Switzerland.
Straight stitch.
Circa 1957, precursor to the Bernina 125.
Free arm, made in Switzerland.
Straight stitch and zigzag.
13th June 1964 (purchase date is in the instruction book)
730 Record.
Free arm, made in Switzerland.
Inbuild fashion stitches.
1967 (purchased 3/3/1968)
Gritzner VZ
Ward Bros. distributed in Australia in 1955.
Scroll to the bottom of the VZ automatic page.
Portable free arm, zig zag, made in Czechoslovakia.
A rescue machine which had been left out in the rain.
Also known and sold in other countries as the Viking.
CI 21
Free arm
Work in progress as at March 2023
So much I don’t know about the Supernovas
Italian Machine, here I show you my 3 incomplete machines.
New Home Light Running
Also known as the Montgomery Ward open arm by Portman a free arm model.
A rescue machine which had been left out in the rain.
A flatbed machine in a treadle table.
Another machine by Phoenix Nähmaschinen AG Baer und Rempel, Bielefeld. 1955 – 56
This Black machine harder to find than the more common Green.
Treadle.
A flatbed German machine with cams at the back.
Fitted with a Wernard motor. Well used by its previous owner, still going strong.
Also came as a free arm machine with wooden extension table.
1950s Portable hand crank.
Made in England,
Not the best reviews on this machine, but it still made its way into my collection as it is very interesting.
