International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society

Fostering the collecting of, and research into, sewing machines.

Shank Identification

These images show various ways to mount presser feet to a machine. The first five show various presser foot attachment methods. These same pictures were used by Greist on their later model buttonhole boxes to identify which buttonholer fit which shank.

Top Clamp Sewing Machine Shank Top Clamp Sewing Machine Shank Top Clamp Sewing Machine Shank
Slant Clamp Sewing Machine Shank Side Clamp Sewing Machine Shank

These images show the relative heights of the various shanks. The numbers below the image represent the distance in inches from the bed of the machine to the bottom of the screw that attaches the presser foot.

Low Shank Sewing Machine Shank

1/2"

 Low Shank Sewing Machine Shank

1/2"

 Low Shank Sewing Machine Shank

1/2"
High Shank Sewing Machine Shank

1"

 High Shank Sewing Machine Shank

1"

ISMACS is an organization totally independent of all sewing-machine manufacturers, past or present and is not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned in these pages.  Please Note: Do not contact any ISMACS official in an attempt to solicit a valuation - it is not possible other than by hands-on assessment and your request will be ignored.

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