The NeedleBar

Singer Model 15 Comparisons

by Chrys Gunther & Barbara Lee Gates

This is a chart showing the differences between the various versions of Singer's extremely successful and long-lived Model 15 machine.NB Machines made at Singer's Scottish plant at Kilbowie use the same model numbering system except that the 'dash' is replaced with a 'K', so a Kilbowie-built Singer 15-88 would have the model number 15K88.

 

Model

 

Handwheel

 

Bobbin Case Finger

 

Bobbin Case Part #

 

Stitch Length Control

 

Bobbin Winder

 

Feed Dogs

 

Other

               

 

15-1 (1879?-1895)

 

 

Spoke

 

 

Long beak shuttle

 

63 ˝ & 2072

 

 

Plain knob

 

 

Real early style!

 

 

Do not drop

 

 

IF Fiddle bed

 

15-11

 

Spoke

 

1 O’clock

80 & 15142

 

Plain knob

 

Real early style

 

Do not drop

 

IF CB Fiddle bed

 

15-22

 

 

Spoke

 

 

Long beak shuttle

63 ˝ & 2072

 

 

Plain knob

 

 

Real early style

 

 

Do not drop

 

 

Rectangular bed

 

15-30 (1894-1953)

 

 

Spoke

 

 

1 O'clock

 

15277 & early 15142

 

 

Plain knob

 

 

Round cam style

 

 

Do not drop

 

 

Treadle or handcrank

 

 

15-75

 

 

 

 

Solid

 

 

 

 

11 O'clock

125291

 

 

 

 

Lever with round plate, has reverse

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

 

 

 

Drop

 

 

 

Same as the Model 15-125 (see below), but with external belt drive motor, and not a potted gear drive as the 15-125 does.

 

15-80

 

 

Spoke

 

 

1 O'clock

 

15277

 

 

Plain knob

 

 

Direct

 

 

Do not drop

 

 

15-86 (1930s-1960+)

 

 

Spoke

 

 

1 O'clock

 

15277

 

 

Lever with rectangular plate - no reverse

 

 

Round cam style

 

 

Do not drop

 

 

15-87 (1930s-1950s)

 

Solid

 

1 O'clock

15277

 

Lever with rectangular plate - no reverse

 

Round cam style

 

Do not drop

 

 

15-88 (1930s-1950s)

 

 

 

Spoke

 

 

 

11 O'clock

125291

 

 

 

Lever with round plate, has reverse

 

 

 

Direct

 

 

 

Drop

 

 

 

Treadle or electric

 

15-89

 

     

 

Handcrank version of 15-88

     

 

 

 

15-90

 

 

 

Solid

 

 

 

11 O'clock

125291

 

 

 

Lever with round plate, has reverse

 

 

 

Direct

 

 

 

Drop

 

 

 

External motor

 

 

 

15-91 (1932-1956)

 

 

 

Solid

 

 

 

11 O'clock

125291

 

 

 

Lever with round plate, has reverse

 

 

 

Direct

 

 

 

Drop

 

 

 

Built on motor

 

15-96

 

Spoke

 

1 O'clock

15277

 

Lever with rectangular plate

 

Direct

 

Do not drop

 

 

15-97

 

Solid

 

1 O'clock

15277

 

Lever with rectangular plate

 

Direct

 

Do not drop

 

 

15-98

 

     

 

Handcrank version of 15-96

     

 

15-110, 15-111, 15-112

 

 

Solid

 

 

1 O’clock

 

15277

 

 

Lever with round plate, has reverse

 

 

Direct

 

 

Drop

 

 

 

15-125 (1955-1958)

 

 

 

Solid

 

 

 

11 O'clock

125291

 

 

 

Lever with round plate, has reverse

 

 

 

Direct

 

 

 

Drop

 

 

 

Green electric

 

 

115 (1912-1935)

 

 

 

Spoke

 

 

 

Full Rotary Hook

55651

 

 

 

Plain knob

 

 

 

Round cam style

 

 

 

Do not drop

 

 

 

Treadle or electric


© Chrys Gunther & Barbara Lee Gates 2002
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