Up for sale is a very, very Early and Rarely Seen Antique Gearhart Sock Knitting Machine Patented Date April 1, 1890 from the Gearhart Knitting Machine Co. Out of Clearfield, Pennsylvania. One unique thing about this machine is the double stamped Patent Date Error, with one of them being upside-down. Since the upside-down Patent date stamp is the one thats perfectly straight, it appears to me it was probably the first stamp made on this machine piece. I then speculate (I obviously wasnt there in 1890) that possibly during production or assembly the error was discovered and an attempt was made to quickly re-stamp the Patent Date right side up, but not much time or care was taken to make sure the re-stamped date was straight. I do know that while trying to research this item I wasnt able to find many pictures of this early model machine, but of the few pictures I did find none of them had double stamped Patent dates on them. This machine appears to be the very first patented Gearhart Knitting Machine model produced which apparently was quickly replaced with an improved model, which for one included a better and larger crank handle and a geared base rotation design. Because it was replaced so quickly with the improved model, its very hard to find much information on this first model, and most I found was for the improved design that came out to replace this initial design. It has a cast iron clamp-on base that is in great condition. I know nothing about how these work, but obviously this is not a complete sock knitting machine. This machine and drum are dirty and will need cleaned, as I have not attempted to clean it from how it was found. The handle does turn fairly easily and there is a mechanism that does go up and down while the handle is being turned, but thats all I know about it and you are purchasing this machine as it is shown in the photos (minus the box that was used to prop the machine up for the photos), with no claims that this knitting machine is complete or in any kind of working order. It has a 72 groove, 5-inch diameter drum and I see there are 4 groves that dont have needles in them. This is a very early and rare Gearhart Sock Knitting Machine model that rarely comes up for sale. And with the double stamped Patent Date Error, this unique Gearhart Machine would truly be a great addition to anyones collection. Please look closely at the detailed photos as they are to be considered a large part of the description of for this item. I like to sell most my items in as found condition. And not wanting to diminish the value of any item by over cleaning it, these items may have been lightly dusted only but not thoroughly cleaned. So a person could expect that there may be some normal dirt or wear consistent or typical for an item of its type and age. And some are just items from my own collections or items that have been within our own family for years. But please understand I cannot take a photo or make note of every scratch, scuff or small imperfection, and a person should expect that there may be some normal wear on vintage items as one would expect from any item of its age. I accept Papal only at this time. The item “Antique Gearhart Sock Knitting Machine, Error Double Stamped Patent Date 1890″ is in sale since Tuesday, October 25, 2016. This item is in the category “Crafts\Needlecrafts & Yarn\Crocheting & Knitting\Machine Knitting\Knitting Machines”. The seller is “up2wilk” and is located in Winterset, Iowa. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Brand: Gearhart
- Type: Sock Knitter
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States