Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ron, for all the snippets of useful info. Likewise, thank you Betsy for telling me how to get it upstairs. The shop took the machine out of the desk and put everything in the car for us; across the street we have a young man neighbor who spends a lot of time on the road on business, so I have a complete set of his keys (including his cars), we take in packages for him etc., and he does heavy lifting for us on occasion. After the drawers and the machine were taken out of the cabinet, he just lifted that thing out of the car, up over his head and carried it upstairs!! Oh, to be young and tough!!
I don't know the machine's exact age, but it came with the manual plus a small stitching sample and a note that the other half was retained at the factory. It is all labelled "made in Switzerland". For those who are interested in such things, the serial # is 086703. It does a beautiful straight stitch, and the built-ins are all excellent. However, it has double cams (discs) for some embroidery stitches which I have not yet been able to get to work. Either I have to study the manual some more, or perhaps find another workbook. Are there any such things, Ron? I hope so, as there are cams for flowers, eyelets, little ducklings all in a row, etc., and I would like to try them. Incidentally, the extender tables were on the wrong way round. The wider top was on the right and the narrower on the left. I can only assume the original owner wanted it that way. This machine has apparently been well used, judging by very slightly worn paintwork on various edges, but it has also been very well loved. Totally clean inside and out.
Got to go take some more pain pills, and will hope to have another play with it tomorrow.
Olwyn Mary in New Orleans