Antique Singer Treadle (Foot-Powered) Sewing Machine Belt Shifter Assembly

Description

Important note:
Sometimes it’s easier to explain how something works with pictures, so we have included two photos of things that are not included in this listing to help you decide if these parts will fit your treadle frame.
Nothing shown in photos four and five is included in this listing.
These parts attach to the dress guard on a Singer treadle frame, just above and in front of the drive wheel. The leather belt passes through the loop of the belt shifter on its trip around the large drive wheel on the treadle frame and the small drive wheel on your machine. The belt shifter is used to disengage the belt from the wheel, providing the necessary slack to either raise the machine for servicing or to lower the machine into its cabinet.
The parts came from a Singer treadle frame sold new in the 1920s. Singer changed the shape of the frame legs and the center brace many times over more than 100 years of production,
and that is very important
because this assembly will not fit Singer treadle frames manufactured just a few years before or after that 1920s date. But we have owned a ton of these things and know exactly what fits what, and we will show you how to figure it out. Let’s start with photo four.
See the word “SINGER” in open block letters on the center brace? Your treadle frame needs to look like that. This model was manufactured from around 1900 until World War Two began, and our belt shifter will fit every single one of them. If your Singer treadle frame looks like the one in photo four, this assembly is what you need.
Now, take a look at photo five. This was the last treadle frame Singer built, and it dates from after World War Two. The side legs are tubular steel instead of cast iron, and all of them were originally painted a bronze color instead of black and gold. The center strut does have “SINGER” in block letters, but there is no separation between the letters. Our belt shifter will not work on treadle frames like the one shown in photo five.
The small spring shown in photo three is often found broken, but this one is in good condition. These parts have been cleaned but not polished to preserve their original patina so they match the appearance of most treadle frames. They are ready to go to work, and the machine screw needed for their installation (photos one and two) is included.
My husband and I have owned and restored over 1000 antique and vintage Singer sewing machines and know quite a bit about them, so please ask if you have questions. We are happy to help you!
We invite you to take a look at our other eBay listings. We are selling many interesting and useful things.
All of our goods are unconditionally guaranteed. If you are not completely satisfied with this item when it arrives at your home, send it back and your money will be cheerfully refunded.
Thank you for looking in.