Hi Betty;
Sounds like you indeed have a D-9. It should however have a last patent date of Aug 3, 1892. If you note the patent dates on the right hand plate there is likely 7 dates listed. They read numerically from top to bottom in two columns. That 8/18/85 date would be the last (4th) date in the left hand column, when you step over to the right hand column there are only three dates which should end with the 8/3/92 date. This plate should also have a D-9 mark stamped into it. The D-9 machines were made by W&W beginning in 1895 through their sell out to Singer in 1905. Serial numbers seem to have started around 2,200,000 & go into the upper 2,900,000 ths or a total production of between 700,000 & 800,000. I would "Guesstimate" by serial number interpolation your machine would date to 1897/98. I have a rather early D-9 handcrank at SN 2,276,882 which I guess as probably an 1896.
The needles for these machine were originally known as a 9N1, but were later given the designation by Singer as a 127x1. If you are familiar with the Boye tubes, Tube #18 is the correct one for these machines. The needle does have a flat & is fully self setting. Unfortunately none of these are in current production so we are limited to old stock. A member here, Jon, who is also a dealer generally has some of these at competitive prices, perhaps he will contact you.
There is a substitute needle which some use that is proper length but has a small round shank. The smaller shank allows it to pass by the alignment feature for the flat. The two downsides are that first being a round shank the eye must be aligned, not a big deal. The 2nd is that due to the much smaller shank the needle in clamping is pushed away from the hook. This "Could" under some difficult conditions result in skipped stitches. A good number of people have tried this needle & reported no problems with it. I have not personally tried it so am only giving what I deem to be a possibility. Will have to look up the number for it. Have to run for now so will pick back up later.
Miller/TN
