With the introduction of Singers V.S. 2 and V. S. 3 the German sewing machine industry developed its own versions. These machines can perhaps be best described as solid workhorses, the machines and bases tend to be larger. Gone are the small pretty flowers and Mother of Pearl inlay, instead the machines tend to have simpler gold flower decals. Then in the 1920's the decals were simplified further in keeping with the popular Art Deco style, cases as well became less intricate. After World War One machines were still produced for export to Great Britain but by fewer companies and not in the quantities of earlier decades. Although badging was still common instead of "Made in Germany" the word "Foreign" was sometimes used. As well as Vibrating Shuttle machines, the High Arm Family and Saxonia style machines were still being produced. German Vibrating Shuttle machines are perhaps less common than other types, but prices tend to be about the same as for the High Arm Family machines. Most of the V.S. machines we come across seem to be in reasonable condition perhaps reflecting the changing times with less dressmaking and more off the peg clothes being sold. Germany also had a significant Toy Sewing machine industry from c1880's onwards, perhaps the best known is F. W. Muller (not to be confused with Clemens Muller). The company's Berlin factory produced an incredible range of toy machines both cast and tin plate. Casige was another famous company producing toy machines from c1903. These toy machines produce a chain stitch and often have external workings. Generally they are easy to find although like their full size counterparts there are some very rare examples.	German Introduction
	German Room 1
	German Room 2
	German Room 3
	L. O. Dietrich (Vesta)
	Frister and Rossmann
	Grimme, Natalis & Co.
	Hengstenberg & Co. Anker
	Seidel and Naumann
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    Müller Veritas:  Serial No. 1577896.
Made by Clemens Müller. The name Veritas appeared on all machines this firm exported after 1905 and on this machine it is just visible on the arm.  The decals are in very poor condition, the machine having been well used, there is pin rash down to the bare metal on the arm.
The decals are completely gone on the bed, but still evident on the shoulder, they must have been very pretty.  Unusually it has 3 spool pins.  Mechanically it purrs.

Clemens Müller was Germany's first sewing machine manufacturer starting production in 1855 in Dresden.  By 1875 a 100,000 machines of various types including industrial models had been produced.  This increased to 200,000 by 1880 and by 1930 production totalled almost 3 million machines.  After World War 2 the company was renamed VEB Writing & Sewing Machines reflecting that it had been producing type writers since 1910.

    Original Victoria:  Serial No. 366463.
Made by Mundlos & Co., Magdeburg.  The firm was formed by Heinrich Mundlos and Hermann Schulz in 1863 and it closed in 1962.
From its style we would think this machine dates to the 1920's.  Judging by the different languages on the needle plate it was marketed in Germany, France and Great Britain.  The centre decal is of a schooner at sea, but this is over another decal (probably of flowers).  The attachment compartment has an unusual "roll top" cover.

     Mundlos 'The Champion of England'
Made for the American Sewing Machine Company, London which was founded by E. Todd in 1863 who originally imported American made treadle heads and sold them with a British made base as hand cranks. In this case we are certain the machine was made by Mundlos & Co, it even has the "roll top" cover with pin cushion to the attachment compartment.
The manufacturers Serial Number 161406 is on the bed of the machine behind the pillar, a second Serial Number 556539 appears on the rear slide plate along with the details of the importing company.











The centre decal shows St. George on horse back slaying a dragon with a lance. The seven stars beneath were the American Sewing Machine Company's Trade Mark.
This model was being imported by the Company as early as 1906

Thank you to Graham Forsdyke for valued information.

     Pfaff 11:  Serial No. 1816130.
This attractive machine was donated to our collection and came complete with original accessory tin. It is in excellent condition and dates to 1921. The accessory compartment cover swivels and has a pin cushion. The small plastic plate next to it reads Greenaway's, 5 New Inn, Hall Street, Oxford.

Georg Michael Pfaff started producing sewing machines in 1862 in Kaiserlauten, the firm was successful gradually increasing production and by 1890 about 500 machines a week were bring produced. A new factory was built around 1900 and by 1910 the firm had produced 1 million machines. In 1926 Pfaff became a Limited Company. After the Second World War the Company continued to expand taking over Gritzner-Kayser in 1957.

    Gamages:  Serial No. 283597.
Probably made in Germany c1935 and badged for Gamages which was a large London Department store.
The machine is half size with recessed crank and uses a boat shuttle.  The decals are in good condition with "Gamages" on the side of the arm and "Foreign" on the top.
It came with a wooden case covered with leatherette(?).  The front drops down to reveal the machine, which slides out and there's a small drawer in the top left of the case.
The manual is entitled "The Hand Sewing Machine Class 1 (Long Shuttle System)" and refers to needle No 705.  It has photos in the instructions instead of line drawings.

    Wertheim Superba: Serial No.S6850845.
This has been identified as being made by the German maker Wertheim and it probably dates to 1900/1906.  A much abused machine which was once extremely pretty.  We've bought it simply as a test bed for cleaning products.  Perhaps a sad end for a once glorious machine but worth it if it saves us from making a costly mistake on a finer machine.  The machine has a couple of unusual features.  Firstly the hinges are formed by lugs cast with the base and the guard for the crank mechanism is much shorter and more rounded than is normally found.

German Introduction

German Room 1

German Room 2

German Room 3

L.O. Dietrich (Vesta)

Frister and Rossmann

Grimme, Natalis & Co.

Hengstenberg & Co. Anker

Seidel and Naumann

Back to The Gallery

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