Figure 127. — West & Willson sewing machine of about machines of this single-thread variety were manufactured is 



1859. The West & Willson machine, manufactured under 

 the patent of H. B. West and H. F. Willson. enjoyed a very 

 brief span of popularity. The patent covered the peculiar 

 method of operating; a spring-looper in combination with an 

 eye-pointed needle to form a single chainstitch, but whether 



unknown. The machine illustrated here is a two-thread 

 machine of basically the same description. It stitches from 

 left to right and bears serial number 1544 and the inscription 

 "West & Willson Co. patented June 29. 1858." (Smithsonian 

 photo 49456-A.) 



117 



