SINGER 28K, 2nd Type, Handcrank, ca. 1905

Serial #: 970701 (See picture above)

Condition: Working

Two peculiarities make this machine interesting:

First, its special bobbin winder with spoon-like thread-guide. We can find these bobbin-winders in very different models:

Singer :

Singer 12 New Family (Alan Quinn’s site)
Singer 28K (Linda Heminway’s site)
Singer 28K (Julie Higgins’ site)

And also in
 
Carl Schmidt 1879-84
Faules of London
Foster, Porter & Cole
Frister & Rossman, 1890
Frister & Rossman TS, 1895
Frister & Rossman mod.50, 1938
Haid & Neu
Hengstenberg
Johnson & Clark		 Junker & Ruh- The Paragon- Kay & co.
Köhler Royal
Rhodes & Halifax cylindrical
Simplex TS 1900
Singer 12K dutch clone
Vesta- Little Vesta
Vesta BTS 1920
Winselmann TS, 1910
Winselmann Handcrank

As well as in three unidentified examples of Mahesa’s site.

Second, the mystery of the serial number. As you see in the picture, it says 970.701 clearly. It would mean a date of 1872, what is not possible.
Indeed, the first serial number for a 28K model 2nd Type is may 1893 (see Quinn’s site). Linda Heminway’s twin (and nicer) model is number D 995.467.
On the other hand,  a model as early as this one, should have two numbers, as Graham Forsyke remarks.

The mystery would be solved if the number printing machine  was damaged and one of the numerals  did not become engraved. If you can see the upper part of a seven, the serial number would bee 9.770.701, and we would arrive to1890, too early still.

Your opinions will be very appreciated!
To know more about this model:

http://members.ttlc.net/~mljjhem/images/28Outside.gif
www.ismacs.net/singer/p28.html
www.demon.co.uk/quinn/singer/svs3/index.html
www.demon.co.uk/quinn/singer/svs3a/index.html
www.demon.co.uk/quinn/singer/svs3b/index.html
www.demon.co.uk/quinn/singer/svs3b/svs·b1/index.html
www.demon.co.uk/quinn/singer/s28k/index.html
www.demon.co.uk/quinn/singer/s28klate/index.html
www3.ns.sympatico.ca/stoneway/128hc.htm
http;//home.sol.no/~astaal/mod28.html
http://users.nbn.net/~jkbell/28k.htm
http://users.nbn.net/~jkbell/28k.jpg
www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/9713/images/machine/28_1.jpg
http://pluto.njcc.com/~lfrankel/vs2-5.jpg
www.geocities.com/Heartland/8112/model28.html
http:// 216.156.61.3//andsewon/Singer28KFS.htm
www.qcx.com/machines/hc.htm
http://members.efortress.com/larsenwk/SewingMachines/Singer/Singer28KHC/index.html

For the Manual, see   www.demon.co.uk/quinn/singer/vsman/index.html