Bernina credits the 730 of 1963 with its patented knee-operated presser-foot lifter, and the company made its millionth machine the same year. The 730 is a free-arm zigzag from Steckborn with an automatic ornamental-stitch device, an internal stack of 20 cams that you engage with a lever. A switch on the motor housing cuts the top speed to about half for careful work. It ran until 1982 alongside its siblings the 731 and 732. One catch worth knowing is that some 730 manuals describe a knee lever that controls speed, with the foot lifted from the back of the head, so a listing that says knee operated doesn't prove a knee lifter. Restorers find the nylon cam gear cracked more often than not, so ask the seller to run the cams.
Under the throat plate
Ask for a photo under the slide plate with the bobbin case in place. A missing bobbin case or the wrong needle system is the most common reason a machine that looks fine won’t sew.
The x30 Berninas have a nylon cam gear that's often cracked and a nylon vertical shaft gear that cracks less often but is a bigger repair. Worn motor brushes are the other known wear part.
New to old machines? How to check a used sewing machine walks through the handwheel, the wiring, the bobbin case and a test seam.
Buying guide
We'd buy the 1960s 730 titled fully serviced, with its case and extras, at $478 delivered from Canada, because a service is the best answer to the x30's known weak spot. There are at least 12 for sale, and most complete ones ask $380–575 delivered. The nylon cam gear on these is often cracked, so on any 730 ask for a video sewing three or four cam patterns, and ask what the knee lever does, since on some it only sets the speed. The $280 machine is the cheapest, but its photo shows the machine alone. Skip the $919 machine, which asks about twice the $464 median with nothing in the title to explain it.
$280.00est. delivered
The lowest delivered 730 not titled untested, at $280 delivered. The photo shows the machine alone, so ask whether the foot control, knee lever and bobbin case come with it, and for a video of the cams sewing.
Bernina Record 730 Sewing Machine
![Vintage Bernina 730 Record Sewing Machine W/case/ Extras 1960s [Fully serviced]](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/5HUAAeSwFXdqrJR~/s-l500.jpg)
$477.63est. delivered
Titled fully serviced, with its case and extras, at $478 delivered from a 100% seller in Canada. Ask what the service covered and whether the cam gear was checked or replaced.
Vintage Bernina 730 Record Sewing Machine W/case/ Extras 1960s [Fully serviced]
$477.63est. delivered
The only 730 here titled fully serviced, so it should need the least work before you sew. Ask for a video running the cam stack at both motor speeds.
Vintage Bernina 730 Record Sewing Machine W/case/ Extras 1960s [Fully serviced]
$279.99delivered
Titled untested and as is, with accessories, at $280 delivered, $100 under the band. Budget for a service and possibly a cam gear, and ask for a video of the handwheel turned by hand.
Bernina Record 730 Sewing Machine w/ Accessories ** UNTESTED * AS IS **
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$280.00est. delivered
$200.00 + $80.00 shipping
Buy It Now$200.00
Good buy
Only the machine is in the photo. Ask what comes with it.
Seller: vicomadara13
100% positive
Serviced$477.63est. delivered
$351.01 + $126.62 shipping
Buy It Now$351.01
Good buy
Titled fully serviced, with case and extras. Ships from Canada.
Seller: 2014_pota
100% positive
For parts$279.99delivered
$279.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$279.99
Project piece
Titled untested and as is. Accessories included, free shipping.
Seller: looking4cheapdeals
99.5% positive
Used$450.00delivered
$450.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$450.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Our take
Pedal and case in the title, but the first photo shows only the closed case. Ask for photos of the machine.
Seller: jz-cerano
98.1% positive
Used$545.21est. delivered
$539.96 + $5.25 shipping
Buy It Now$539.96
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled with extras. Not titled tested.
Seller: overthetopix
100% positive
Used$564.17est. delivered
$420.00 + $144.17 shipping
Buy It Now$420.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled works, with pedal, extension table, manual and case.
Seller: vladpo-19
100% positive
Used$298.15est. delivered
$215.00 + $83.15 shipping
Buy It Now$215.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Zero feedback. Pay only through eBay checkout.
Seller: pikac4239
No feedback yet
Used$919.02est. delivered
$765.00 + $154.02 shipping
Buy It Now$765.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
Case and pedal in the photo, but nothing in the title explains twice the median.
Seller: egobuk
100% positive
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