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Wellington (Home Shuttle):
Serial No.92841.
This machine is an example of the Home Shuttle manufactured by the Gold Medal Sewing Machine Co. Orange, Massachusetts and was usually sold as the Dolly Varden in the Great Britain.
This example is possibly unique as it bears the Bradbury & Co. Ltd Duke of Wellington trade mark medallion on the bed and has the faint traces of the name Wellington on the arm.
It would appear that the Bradbury company sold these imported American machines prior to the design and manufacture of its own Wellington machine, as a result it can be dated to a period between late June 1875 and March 1877.
The decals are in reasonable condition and it retains its beautifully shaped wooden base.
The rear slideplate is stamped with a range of patent dates from 1850 through to 1865. The front slideplate is a replacement.
Unusually the serial number for this machine is stamped on a metal disk which sits on the spool pin base.
Wellington.
This machine dates to around 1878, the castings are totally different to later versions of the Wellington. Note particularly the curve out of the bed, the scrolls and raised detail to the arm as well as the tension discs mounted on top of the arm.
The brass face plate is embossed 'The Wellington' and also carries the company's address . The take up is operated by the needle-bar and the stitch length mechanism is on the bed of the machine at the base of the pillar.
The early form of bobbin winder is driven from the gear wheel but the ornate balance wheel cannot be disengaged for bobbin winding.
Sadly there are some parts missing from this example notably the slide plate, stitch length nut, and the handle.
Wellington.
Another example of the Wellington dating to around 1879 which is in slightly better condition and with no parts missing. Although worn the name Wellington can be made out on the face of the arm as well as Bradbury & Co. Oldham along the top edge of the arm. The centre decal is too worn to identify its original design.
Wellington.
I wouldn't usually aquire a machine in this condition however it dates to around 1880 and is an example of the improved version of the Wellington which has simplified castings, a take-up lever and the balance wheel can be disengaged for bobbin winding.
The tension discs are still mounted on the arm and the brass face plate carries the same details as the earlier machines but note how the slot for the take up lever has been cut through the letter N in Wellington.
Wellington.
Dating to around 1883 the design has been further improved with the tension discs now being mounted on the brass face plate. It also has an improved bobbin winder and the balance wheel has a rounded edge which is nickel plated.
Wellington.
Dating to around 1884 the company Trade Mark is on the pillar behind the bobbin winder and there is an illustration of the Wellington Works on the bed of the machine.
Wellington.
This Wellington dates to around 1889. There have been further minor modifications, the balance wheel and bobbin winder have simplified castings, the stitch length regulator has been moved to the side casting near the cloth plate. The face plate is embossed 'Patent Lock Stitch Hand Machine' and the Company's Duke of Wellington Trade Mark is on the bed of the machine.
Attached to the gear cover is a sprung steel lever which holds the bobbin winder in place, if this lever is moved to the right it allows the whole bobbin winder to be swung up to disengage it from the hand crank. The lever then slips beneath to hold the bobbin winder in its new position.
Wellington.
This machine is slightly later and was probably made around 1893. It represents the final production version with a nickel plated face plate which folds round the sides. The decals are different from the above machine but again it has the portrait of the Duke of Wellington on the bed of the machine.
INDEX of BRADBURY PHOTOGRAPHS
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