Why are people STILL hunting for these sewing machines? 🧵🕵️♀️” Mysterious rumors, secret serial numbers, and sky-high prices… Could that dusty old Singer in your attic be worth a fortune? Details in the full article below 👇
Many people still remember those classic sewing machines that were once found in almost every home. Our mothers and grandmothers used them often. They were both useful and beautiful—reliable tools that also stood out with their design. One brand, in particular, became famous over time: Singer. And with it came many interesting stories and rumors.
The very first Singer sewing machine was created in 1851 by an inventor and businessman from the U.S. named Isaac Singer. In just ten years, the machines gained worldwide popularity. Production expanded quickly, and Singer started selling licenses to other countries.
In the early 1900s, a large factory opened near city. Back then, only around 5,000 people lived there, but it had a good train connection for deliveries. By 1914, the factory was producing around 600,000 machines a year. At that point, the country had become the second largest manufacturer and seller of sewing machines after the U.S., bringing in huge profits. Many international buyers—from countries like Persia, Japan, and China—were happy to purchase those models.
Production briefly stopped during major political changes in 1917, but the factory eventually started up again. The machines were then made under new names such as “Gosshveymashina” or “PMZ,” after the Podolsk Mechanical Plant. Even though the names changed, the design remained familiar—curved shapes, shiny black paint, elegant gold detailing, and a polished wooden base.
But why are these old Singer machines still so loved today, especially by collectors and antique lovers? Over time, many unusual rumors began to spread. For example, in 1998, people claimed that the company was trying to buy back certain machines with serial numbers that started with a “1.”
In the 1990s, a popular myth said the early machines were made with rare and expensive metal—palladium. Then, in the 2000s, a rumor spread in Saudi Arabia that the machine needles contained something called red mercury, which was supposedly used in bombs or treasure hunting. Other stories claimed that wealthy families once made Singers from white gold to hide their wealth. Some believed the serial numbers were actually secret bank account codes. And there were collectors who searched for machines with special number patterns like repeating digits.
None of these claims have ever been officially proven. Still, Singer sewing machines remain in demand. Some people still sew with them, while others collect them as valuable antiques. In fact, older machines—especially rare ones—can go up in price over time. On marketplaces like olx.ua, some listings show prices up to $1,000 for unique vintage Singer models!
Do you have memories of using or seeing one of these machines? Or maybe you still own one? Let us know in the comments if you believe in any of the legends—or just love the look and history of these classic machines!
