OldSewinGear News Reviews & How To's

A Spartan Existence

4/14/2013

Singer Spartan 192k

Singer sure didn't make it easy to identify black & gold models. Model numbers are often missing or incomplete. And if you do find a model number, you won't find the common name of that model anywhere on the machine itself.

For example, we're all familiar with the Singer Featherweight, but it there's no "Featherweight" label anywhere on the machine itself. You might see a small "221" or "222" model number plate, but that is all. This can make identifying a black and gold Singer tricky.

An exeption to this rule, however is the Singer 192. At first glance you may not even realize it is a Singer, because of the big "Spartan" label across the front.

A second look, however reveals the Singer name inside the harp of the machine at the base of the column and a model number "192K" on the stitch-length lever.

Further examination reveals a class 66 drop-in bobbin and a belt-drive Simanco motor. It's a 3/4 size machine, smaller than the 15-91 but larger and heavier than the 221 Featherweight.

So why the name "Spartan?"

According to Merriam-Webster, "spartan" is defined as "marked by simplicity, frugality, or avoidance of luxury and comfort."

This is what Singer had in mind when they introduced the Spartan. It was a stripped-down, budget version of the 99K.

Side-by-side the machines are strikingly similar. Spartan is on the left, 99K is on the right.

Almost identical in shape and size, but unlike its more expensive sister, the Spartan is devoid of gold-leaf decoration and the Singer badge. It is also missing the task light and auto-stop mechanism for the bobbin winder. It came with a bakelite box base but there was no provision for a cover or carry case. Truly "spartan" in its details.

But the Spartan holds its own in the Singer family when it comes to heavy duty sewing. If properly adjusted it will sew tough projects as well as the 99K or Featherweight.

And it's pretty darn cute, too!

So next time you see a little black and gold machine with big block letters spelling "Spartan," stop and take a look!

Happy Sewing,
Barbara

21 Comments

Elaine Blackmer

12/22/2013 10:01:40 am

I just bought a Spartan (Singer 192) at a thrift shop for $11.00! I'm so excited, it's clean and works great.

Barbara for OldSewinGear

12/23/2013 02:46:47 am

Wow, great find! Enjoy your treasure, and Thanks for sharing!

John

1/27/2014 04:25:27 am

Great finding this page! My neighbor just gave my two daughters a Spartan 192 and I was searching around to find info on this beautiful little machine. It seems to look and run as new! We are so excited to have one.

OldSewinGear

1/27/2014 10:27:55 am

Thanks for sharing! Wonderful little machines. Hope your family enjoys yours for many years to come.
Barbara for OldSewinGear

Karen

10/14/2020 03:32:36 pm

Yes, it is an awesome little machine, though very heavy due to the fact it was made in England in the 60(?)’s. All metal parts! Just found my mother’s little Singer Spartan 192 and it looks brand new and hadn’t been used in over 30 years. Rubs great and pretty quiet.

patricia

5/1/2015 11:03:07 am

I've inherited a Spartan from my aunt; has no bobbins or needles. Can you tell me what sizes of each to look for, if they are still available....?

Donna

7/2/2015 01:08:07 am

I have one of these and i just bought new bobbin in the class 66 and they do not fit.

Bobbi Jo

5/31/2016 12:35:34 pm

I just received a 192k from my grandmothers estate. It has a light on it however.

Janet

11/13/2016 05:17:11 pm

Just found your blog. Not sure if you are still following or not. Just wanted to say that I found a 192 at an estate sale for $2. The wood case was busted up and there was rust on the machine. Boy! You should see it now. It's going to be one of my favorites out of about 30 machines! LOL. It cleaned up awesome and sews like a champ.

mary

12/31/2017 10:30:22 am

Maybe it's just me, but I always found the Spartan a little "sad." I picture some woman who longed for a Singer sewing machine (probably to do utilitarian family sewing) getting this machine because she couldn't afford the better one. She had to do without the pretty decals, the lamp, and other features, which she was probably okay with. But she had that name SPARTAN right there staring her in the face every time she sewed, reminding her that it was a second-rate machine that didn't even get the Singer name.

LN Benson

8/2/2021 12:25:31 pm

The Spartans of Ancient Rome were anything but sad. This machine is named for these hearty and rugged warriors. In post-war USA (the 192’s) & Great Britain (the192K’s—identical machine model, but suffix letter indicates the factory in Scotland, where Singer made many of the Spartans) were still in a recovery mode from WW-II. By the late 50’s the economy was heading into recession again after the mid-50’s economic surge, & foreign markets, especially the Japanese manufacturing industry, began to flood the US market with cheaply made sewing machines creating huge competition for Singer. Homemakers, who wanted Singer quality but couldn’t justify the added household expense of the Singer premium products against the cheaper imported machines, were happy to have a Singer Spartan, with their quality and reputation, as an option for their preferred choice.

Roger

7/8/2018 07:56:08 pm

I have this machine! I bought it used from a Singer store in the 70's for $25. It still works and works well. Do you know when these machines were manufactured?

Lisa

7/18/2019 07:22:34 am

My mother passed down to me her old Singer Spartan 192K sewing machine. Mine has a light and is also in a wooden case with turqouise and white paper covering. I got it out last night and discovered that it doesn't want to sew - the motor runs and it sews if I turn it by hand, but pressing the foot pedal only makes the motor run. I'm thinking it just needs a good cleaning and oiling as there was lots of dust underneath. I discovered a "manual" of sorts online so that should help. But for anyone else looking for one - here is the link I found: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/586838/Singer-Spartan-192.html (for best results download it and then print it out or save it).

JulieArsenault

12/6/2020 02:06:36 am

Thank you for the Spartan info. I just scored a 192 Spartan beauty in a thrift store for $45. I’m thrilled!

Carol

4/14/2021 12:30:06 pm

I have my mother's Spartan machine and have used it for many sewing projects of the years. Great little machine. Didn't know it would receive the wonderful reviews. It is indeed a little workhorse unlike my computerized "princess" machines that don't want to do all the things I want it to, ie: sewing through multiple layers of fabric. Thank you for the great information.

Suzi

5/25/2021 05:09:19 am

I actually found 2 of these over the past few years. finally decided to see if they worked.

I ran 2 layers of cotton thru it and it seemed to work fine but then ran 2 layers of flannel backed vinyl and it only sewed thru the top layer, but it never broke the bobbin thread, so when I put cotton under it again - it sewed thru both layers. I never did put a new needle it. would you think that was the problem or is there something else I should look for?

my plan is to dig out the manual I downloaded and oil the machine, replace the bobbin thread AND the top thread and give it another test run.

I'd love to find another case. The bottom 'case' it rests in has broken pieces, so I have to prop it up in the case to get it level.

wish I knew someone in woodworking that could just make one for me.

thanks in advance for your thoughts on all this. it IS a really cute machine. and my hope is that is will sew thru multiple layers ultimately.

Faith

5/18/2021 11:57:23 am

I inherited my mother-in-law’s machine when we cleaned out their home. I ‘almost’ didn’t take it, as I have several machines, & I’d never heard of Spartan.
Thankfully, I couldn’t let it go, & brought it home. 2 years later I finally took it out of it’s original Bakelite case, & researched this little jewel. It was still threaded & had thread on the bobbin.
It definitely needs some TLC, but it’s mine, & I love it! I can’t wait to get it cleaned up, & piece a quilt with it.

Sheri

10/10/2021 04:09:36 pm

I'm trying to find out how to remove the machine from the base that it sets in. There are no screws, just a slot on the back side of a little round metal piece that the machine pivots on when it is tilted back. Any ideas on getting it out?

10/13/2021 09:47:47 pm

Machines are set into a box-base or into a cabinet base with a set of hinges which provide a hinge-pin which fits into a hinge-pin receptor, usually cast into the back underside of the sewing machine bed. The pin receptor hole is usually equipped with a small set screw (sometimes called a "grub screw") which is tightened to fasten or "set" the pin tightly in place in the receptor hole. Once the hinge pin has been inserted into the receptor hole and the set-screws tightened down, the machine can be tilted to clean & oil the working underside without needing to remove it completely from the box-base or cabinet. This video provides illustration of the various shapes of hinges on vintage machine, to give you an idea of where to examine your machine to find the set-screws. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUyyuSBfvFM

Denis Pethtel

7/30/2021 08:05:18 pm

I just recently purchased the Spartan at flee market for $30. It needed some TLC,but all cleaned up and polished looking great and it works.need to purchase some oil and give it a lube job.so excited to be able to have this machine.

Nicola Ironside

10/13/2021 06:05:01 pm

I have my mother's 99K that she bought new when she was 16. It travelled from the UK to Australia in 1975 and has travelled with me around the country since around 1990. It still works and is so pretty to look at.

A Spartan Existence

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