Singer · Treadle · About 1891–1913
Singer's own instruction books call it the Sewing Machine No. 27, Vibrating Shuttle No. 2, and it went on sale under that number in 1891. It sews a straight lockstitch with a long bullet-shaped bobbin that rides in a shuttle swinging back and forth under the needle, and it was sold for a treadle or a hand crank. The black heads wear some of Singer's best-known decals, including the Sphinx (also called Memphis), Peacock Tail, Ottoman Carnation and Tiffany sets, and ISMACS has an 1894 example in Dogwood. The 28 was the smaller three-quarter-size version, mostly hand cranked, and the 127 and 128 updated the design around 1910. Check the shuttle and its long bobbin are there, because without them it can't sew.
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.
Missing shuttles and bobbins are common, and lint under the shuttle tension spring stops the bobbin tension working. Treadle irons and cabinets are heavy and easily damaged in transit.
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 1907 Sphinx-decal head titled fully tested at $179 delivered from Canada, with crisp decals in the photos, but it's a head only and needs a treadle stand, a hand crank or a motor to run. Most complete 27s ask $170–300 delivered, and of the at least 75 for sale, many are in treadle cabinets that quote no shipping or $100 or more, so plan on pickup for anything with a stand. Ask first for a photo of the shuttle and its long bullet bobbin, since a 27 can't sew without them, then for a video of the handwheel turned by hand. Skip the $3,500 treadle from a zero-feedback account, and the serviced hand crank whose photo shows a Sewmor-badged machine, not a Singer.
$179.38est. delivered
The lowest delivered 27 titled tested, a 1907 head at $179 delivered from Canada. It's the head only, so budget for a treadle stand, hand crank or motor, and ask for a photo of the shuttle and its long bobbin.
Gorgeous 1907 Singer Treadle sewing Machine Head 27 Sphinx Fully Tested
$246.39est. delivered
A hand-crank 27 with its case at $246 delivered, inside the band, so it sews without a treadle or any wiring. It isn't titled tested, so ask for a video of the crank turning the machine and a photo of the shuttle and bobbin.
SINGER 27 Antique Original Hand Crank Domestic Sewing Machine Black/Gold w Case
$179.38est. delivered
A 1907 head with Sphinx decals that look crisp in the photos, titled fully tested, near the bottom of the band. Gold that complete on a machine this old is what collectors pay for.
Gorgeous 1907 Singer Treadle sewing Machine Head 27 Sphinx Fully Tested
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$179.38est. delivered
$116.07 + $63.31 shipping
Buy It Now$116.07
Good buy
1907 Sphinx head, titled fully tested. Head only.
Seller: yor4083
100% positive
Used$246.39est. delivered
$150.00 + $96.39 shipping
Buy It Now$150.00
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.
Good buy
Hand crank with case. Not titled tested.
Seller: asat8944
100% positive
Used$115.60est. delivered
$75.00 + $40.60 shipping
Buy It Now$75.00
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
1919, serial G7628835, with case. The photo shows a motor added. Not titled tested.
Seller: midwest_retro_petites_and_plus
100% positive
Used$196.98est. delivered
$130.00 + $66.98 shipping
Buy It Now$130.00
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
Fitted with a motor and a hand crank, with case. Not titled tested.
Seller: tayove17
100% positive
Used$216.04est. delivered
$99.99 + $116.05 shipping
Buy It Now$99.99
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
Same title as a zero-feedback seller's listing. Ask how the cabinet will be packed.
Seller: hollydolly1984baby
100% positive
Serviced$365.18est. delivered
$300.00 + $65.18 shipping
Buy It Now$300.00
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
Titled serviced, but the photo shows a Sewmor-badged machine, not a Singer 27. Ask for photos of the actual machine.
Seller: ricardom5
100% positive
Used$3,696.93est. delivered
$3,500.00 + $196.93 shipping
Buy It Now$3,500.00
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
Zero-feedback seller asking about 17 times the median. Avoid.
Seller: fa18-86
No feedback yet
Used$180.00+ shipping
$180.00 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$180.00
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 seller using another seller's title. No shipping quoted; ask, or plan on pickup.
Seller: trainus-lttdyp
No feedback yet
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