Very early hand crank sewing machine - Singer Model 27? Can anyone help please?

I do not know much about hand cranked sewing machines except that they pre date the ones that require the usual motion using our leg muscles and they are quite rare.

This morning (I know I have not been posting much - sorry as I was busy with some minor repair work at the shop) I went out with my fellow 'hunter' Yusni Azman and I bought this contraption.

I am not sure of its age except that it has a rather low serial number and the hand crank is original and not added on.

I think it is from the Singer Sewing Machine Company but I cannot find any inscriptions that supports my theory.

The only thing that identifies it is a small metal brass plate that reads Vibrating Shuttle Sewing Machine and has the symbols SV.

I am including as many photos a possible in this post.

I hope readers can help me identify this interesting piece and shed some light on the mystery surrounding it.






I even found a little key in the concealed drawer. I wonder if it opens the box that hols this sewing machine.

In case some of you are wondering - no I do not have the upper section of the case. According to the seller, it is missing.

Also, the crank is slightly jammed up but I think it is a small matter. All it needs is a bit of TLC (Tender Loving Care) and soon it should work like a well oiled machine.

Ok enough said. I shall let the photos do the talking now.

Please remember that I really appreciate feedback if you can tell me more about this thing which has a very nice porcelain handle. Thanks.

Things bought at the Flea Market Friday 10 July 2015 - Vintage Betel Nut Cuttter (Item 1 of 6)

 There was a thunderstorm early this morning at 4 am. I thought to myself that my hopes to go to the weekly flea market will be dashed. Furthermore next week will be the first day of the Hari Raya and that means no market day in seven days' time,

Fortunately the rain stopped and I left my house at 615 am sharp.

My first stop is always at my favourite antique seller's stall.

I picked up his vintage betel nut cutter from him. All these while I only have those made of cast iron. This is the first one made partially of brass which looks reasonably old so i bought it despite its relatively high price.

I do not know much about it except there are some markings which I have posted here as well.

My hope is that perhaps my readers can help me ascertain its origin and perhaps even its age.

Thank you. I am off to work now and will post more later this afternoon.

Hillman Minx and a kind Uncle - Tale of Kuala Kangkong Part 1

 Kuala Kangkong is a small town in Kedah. It is located off the main truck road connecting Alor Setar and Gurun. Travellers intending to visit Kuala Kangkong need to turn off at Sinpang Empat main traffic lights and drive on for about twenty minutes.

I shall write more about Kuala Kangkong in another blog posting but today I just want to concentrate on two items which I got from this place.

One is an interesting front grille from a Hillman Minx. The first photo was shown to me by a friend when I asked about the identity of my discovery.


The grille is large as I now know that it covers the entire front section of the vehicle, At the same time it is also very light - I think it is made of aluminium or some sort of durable and light weight metallic alloy.
The logo reminds me of the scratch marks of Wolverine. But Wolverine has five claws while this is only three.

I also stopped by an old sundry shop and the kind Uncle allowed me to look through his storage area.





I came up with two vintage weighing contraptions. Both of equal size. The Uncle tells me that he bought those when he just started business some 60 years ago,

I asked to buy both but he ended up selling me only one. He tells me that he wants to keep one to show his grandchildren and share a tale with them on how things used to be like in the past.






The kind Uncle even helped me to oil the wood before handing it to me. This shows me that he really cares for his things and I will surely make sure that this item remains well taken care in my collection.

Nutmeg oil - nature's magical remedy: Fancy finding an unopened bottle made in 1950s

I found this old nutmeg oil bottle in an old sundry shop today.

The funny thing is that there was only one bottle left. It is as if the bottle was waiting for me to come pick it up.

The label has a total of four different languages - English, Malay, Chinese and Jawi.

The label says that this cure -all oil to be able cure a wide variety of ailments ranging from toothache to stomach ache.

I do not doubt its ability because until this day many people still use this oil.


Furthermore, Penang nutmeg oil is said to be the best in the world.

Many foreign tourists visiting the Pearl of the Orient is sure to take home some.

I tried to open this bottle and smell some of its vapours. I must admit that the nutmeg oil smell is still very strong. The colour is also still bright - looks like the oil has not oxidised. I am not going to use it. Its going into my display cabinet for vintage remedies,

Not bad for a day's work since this bottle was given to me free, The proprietor says that he knows I can take good care of it! Thank you Uncle.