Willcox & Gibbs s/n BS589617

Willcox & Gibbs Visible Stitch Straw Hat Sewing Machine

Type 200 (early type)

Machine for stitching straw hats. Manufactured in New York in 1913.

The prefix letters 'BS' in the serial number identify this machine as being the earlier version, which was later superseded by the 'Improved' model

The band wheel is located on the left hand side; machine is treadled with the right foot only. Band wheel drives a geared up lay shaft under the table, giving a stitching speed of up to 3000 per minute. The stitch arm is just a blur at this speed!

Special attachments were available to convert this machine to a hessian bag stitcher and a braid spreader

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