150-YEAR-OLD GERMAN SEWING MACHINE — FULL RESTORATION FROM RUST TO GLORY!

In this video, I restore a rare chain-stitch hand-crank sewing machine made by Guhl & Harbeck of Germany, sold under the "Original Express" brand — produced sometime between 1870 and 1890.

What makes this machine especially fascinating: on the base, I found traces of Japanese newspaper glued to the surface. This suggests the machine was imported from Germany to Japan during the Meiji era, stayed there for many decades, and eventually made its way to me.

When it arrived, the condition was rough. The cast iron was completely rusted with a thick layer of grime, and there was some damage — but the machine was essentially complete. Every gear and shaft was rusted solid. Nothing moved.
#DIY #Restorationofabig