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International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society

The purpose of the International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society is to foster the collecting of, and research into, sewing machines.

Class 9

Adjustable Driven Feed-Rolls, for Mechanical Power.
Singer Model 9-1 Sewing Machine
MACHINE No. 9-1

FOR LARGE CANVAS BELTS, etc.
Bed, 18 feet long.

MACHINES OF CLASS 9.

The illustration on the preceding page represents the largest sewing machine ever constructed, especially designed for simultaneously making parallel rows of stitching on heavy Canvas or other Belting of unusual width, or for similar duty.

It will stitch any fabric, capable of needle puncture, from one eighth to one and one-half inches thick and of any width up to one hundred inches.

The bed is eighteen feet long and weighs over 5,000 pounds; it has power-driven feed-rolls and special guides adjustable for various widths material. The end of the frame, at the left hand, can be opened so that a wide and heavy belt can be not only stitched lengthwise, but the ends can also be lapped and stitched together before taking it from the machine.

This machine cannot be better described than by quoting the language of the award which it received, together with a medal, at the World's Columbian Exposition, as follows:

AWARD.

Machine No. 9-1: For Stitching two Parallel Rows on Canvas or Rubber

Belting:

POINTS OF EXCELLENCE.

1. Two needles and two oscillating shuttles for forming two parallel lock- stitch seams in heavy canvas and rubber belting up to 100 inches wide and one and one-half inches thick.

2. Powerful feed rolls sixteen feet long, capable of carrying material several tons' weight, having a bearing the entire width of the material, thus insuring uniformity and regularity in carrying forward the several thicknesses and giving elasticity to the stitching.

3. The mechanical arrangement for raising and lowering the upper feed roller by means of a horizontal shaft extending the entire length of the machine, connected with the hinged bearings of the roller by bevel gears at each end, and so operated as to be easily adjusted to any thick- ness of material.

4. Largest and strongest sewing-machine ever constructed, having a bed eighteen feet in length, with overhanging arm supported by and attached to both ends of the bed.

The following is lifted from John Langdon's Comprehensive Model List
  9- (class) Industrial Oscillating shuttle. Bed 18 feet long; on heavy iron legs. "... Class 9 are the largest and most powerful sewing machines ever constructed..." -
  9SS-1 Industrial (Deerborn) Cylinder bed blindstitch machine. Single thread chainstitch. Upper feed. Work plate. Stitch length 5 to 10 SPI. For felling dresses, coats, etc. Cat. 3690
  9W (Class) 1906-13 Domestic Wheeler & Wilson D9 re-badged; later modified by Singer.  
 9-1 Industrial Bed 18 feet long. Oscillating shuttle. For canvas belts up to 100" and 1 1/2" thick. Roller feed, two needles and two cylinder shuttles. Speed 80. For canvas belts up to 100" and 1 1/2" thick. 9x1 and 9x3
  9W1 1906-08 Domestic For use on foot power stand. Superceded by 9W7 & 9W8  
  9W2 1906-08 Domestic Hand-crank version. Furnished with portable case or base only.  
  9W3 1908- Domestic Same as 9W1 except: Arm fitted for attachment 205946. Bed for hinge 2992B.with Singer ornamentation. For export (ex USA).  
  9W4 1908- Domestic Same as 9W3 except: Arm fitted for attachment 205946. For export (ex USA).  
  9W5 1908- Domestic Has knee lifter 208771 and Singer 'Pearl' ornamentation. For export (ex-USA). Superceded by 9W10.  
  9W7 1909-13 Domestic Rotary hook mechanism, Singer 'Pearl' ornamentation. "Used on regular Singer woodwork and stands" (hinges now compatible). Treadle. 127x1
  9W8 1909-13 Domestic For family use. Fitted for hand attachment 205946, otherwise same as 9W7.  
  9W9   Domestic For family use. Fitted with hand attachment 205946. Otherwise same as 9W8.  
  9W10   Domestic Replaced 9W5 post 1908. Same as 9W7 but with knee lifter.  
  9W11 * Domestic *"To be in new book" (1908+)