White Model 77 Sewing Machine 1946–1953
Last Update: 2026.04.24
The White Model 77 is probably the best known rotary hook machine produced by the White Sewing Machine Company, it’s a post-war straight-stitch rotary machine built in Cleveland, Ohio. Production ran primarily from 1946 to 1953, though the design was reported to have appeared earlier.
According to ISMACS page covering the White sewing machine company there was a White model 77 buried in the Crypt of Civilization at Oglethorpe University in 1940, some 6 years before the model’s introduction. I’ve looked though the inventory of the time capsule and find no mention of any sewing machine whatsoever. That said ISMACS is a trusted source, so it’s quite possible there’s truth to their claim.
White acquired Domestic Sewing Machine Company in 1924 and the two brands ran parallel product lines for years. The White 77 and the Domestic Series 153 Rotary are mechanically identical. If you find a Domestic 153 service manual, it applies directly to the 77.
Two versions of the 77 exist. The standard Model 77 has a cast iron head and weighs around 28 pounds. The Model 77MG substitutes cast magnesium for a lighter portable format. Both use the same dark green crinkle enamel finish, which collectors sometimes call the “Godzilla finish.”
Buying a White 77 today
Wiring
Post-war machines used rubber or cloth-insulated wire. That insulation is now 70–80 years old and usually brittle, cracked, or crumbling. Don’t plug one in until you’ve inspected it. Rewiring the motor and foot controller is a moderate job and runs about $15–$40 in parts. On most machines you’ll find, it’s required.
Check the wiring before you even think about power. It’s common to replace both the control and power cords. Rewiring isn’t hard, but you may need to solder depending on the plug. Some use screw terminals, others are soldered. If you don’t want to deal with it, you can buy ready-made replacement cords from sewing machine parts suppliers.
Friction Wheel
You’ll likely need a new friction wheel, the rubber tire that drives the handwheel. After you replace it, add a shim between the motor and machine so the wheel doesn’t touch the handwheel at rest. If it sits against the handwheel, it will develop a flat spot and you’ll hear a steady thump as you sew.
A flat spot shows up as a rhythmic thump. Replace the wheel and keep the motor shimmed off the handwheel when the machine isn’t in use.
Rotary bobbin cases and bobbins
The bobbins for the White 77 and the Kenmore 117 series rotary machines are interchangeable, but the White 77 uses the new style bobbin case (Part# 69727), while the Kenmore 117 series rotary machines use the old style (Part No: 836). The Free Westinghouse Type E Rotary bobbin case and bobbin in the photo above won’t fit the White 77 or the Kenmore 117 series rotary machines, it’s just there for reference.
White Model 77MG (variant)
I’ve been watching for a portable cast-magnesium White 77MG for a while, and one popped up on Marketplace yesterday. About 80% of the finish on the bed is gone, and it only has the back half of a hinged presser foot left. This one’s going to be a long term project, and probably my first strip and paint.
I don’t know what happened to the finish, but it seems to be a common problem. The cast magnesium machines tend to have a more fragile finish, so it may not have been prepped correctly, something spilled on it, or someone cleaned it with something that reacted with the metal. Thankfully the bed isn’t pitted or eroded, it’s just missing paint.
Specifications
| Brand | White Sewing Machine Company |
| Model | 77 |
| Made in | Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A. |
| Manufactured | 1946-1953, possibly as early as 1940 |
| Machine Body | All Metal |
| Drivetrain & Gears | All Metal |
| Color | Dark Green Crinkle Finish |
| Feed Dog Drop | No |
| Motor Mount | External, Friction/Traction Drive |
| Foot Type | Top Clamp |
| Hook Type | Full Rotary Hook |
| Needle System | 15×1 (HAx1) flat-shank |
| Bobbin Type | White Rotary – Part# 744 |
| Bobbin Case | New Style Rotary – Part# 69727 |
| Belt | NA, Friction/Traction Wheel |
