Did you know? That you can call the Singer company and get the birthdate of your machine. You must have the serial number, of course. The Singer # is 1-800-4-SINGER
Singer Dating,
International
Singer Dating, US: 1-800-4Singer
Singer Dating, US: 1-800-877-7762
Singer Industrials Dating/Info., US: 1-800-342-6808
Dating your Singer machine
| AA....1924 |
| AB....1926 |
| AC....1928 |
| AD....1930-34 |
| AE....1935-36 |
| AF....1938 |
| AG....1941 |
| AH....1947-48 |
| AI....1948 [yes that is i] |
| AJ....1950 |
| AK....1951 |
| AL....1953-55 |
| AM....1954-56 |
| NA....1951-52 |
| JB.....1945 |
| JC....1948 |
| W.....1954 |
| ED....1941 |
| EE....1947 |
| EF.....1949 |
| EG....1950 |
| EH....1951 |
| EJ.....1953 |
| ES.....1962 |
| EV.....1964 |
| White fw 1968 - 70 |
According to Nancy Johnson-Sbrebro and her book which is a reprint of the original instruction book for Featherweights the following dates apply as to the production date of your machine:
AD 1934
AE 1936
AF 1938
AG 1941
AH 1948
AJ 1950
AK 1952
AL 1955
AM 1956
AN or higher - unknown
AI Skipped
SINGER DATES
N....1900 L....1901 K....1902
B....1904 H....1906 D....1908
G--0,999,999....1909 G--2,500,000....1910
G--4,400,000....1913 G--6,500,000....1916
G--8,500,000....1919 G--9,999,999....1921
G--0,998,000....1924
F....1924 Y....1925
Model Years made Comments
-----------------------------
15
15-13
15-90
24
24-50 treadle, small
24-80
27 treadle
28-4 hand-cranked, 3/4 size, vibrating shuttle
31kls industrial
44kl3 1925 treadle
66 treadle, drop-in bobbin
66-1 treadle
66-4
66-6
66-16
99k 3/4 size, hand-cranked or electric portable
99-13 knee-press
99k-28 portable
101
127 treadle
128 portable
128-13
132k6 industrial
185j 1960-62 green portable
191 industrial
201
221 1933-56 featherweight
221-1 "
221b 1968-70 white "
221j tan ", beige
221k 1941-64 black ", off white
221k1 "
221k5 "
221k7 " white "
221? " blue, green ?
222k 1941-64 free-arm
241-12 industrial
290
301 1953-59 slant needle; straight needle
301a " tan
301a " beige
319
327p plastic machine
328k
331k4 industrial
338 turquoise
404
500a
591 industrial, computer unit
Capri new, white
Spartan
Toys - model 20 ?
Sewhandy ?
In 1905 some Singer's were manufactured under the name of Wheeler
& Wilson
Queries: are these Singer machines?
Model #2 treadle born 6/26/1893
Toys - Shoe Patch 1912 ?
Little Giant ?
34, 36, 38 ? (are these model #'s)
Godzilla ?
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Date: 23 Feb 96 11:30:57 EST
From: Graham Forsdyke (100661.3256@compuserve.com)
Subject: Contributions
Factory designations
There's been some confusion over Singer factory designation codes, some, understandably, believing that E was for England. The following list is for all Singer "factories". I am using the word factory to describe a location where machines were either built or assembled.
A Anderson South Carolina AP Lagos Nigera B Bonnieres France BE Casablanca Morocco BG Bancock Thailand C Campinas Brazil CH Santiago Chili Cy Ratmalana Ceylon E Elizabeth NJ USA F Taytay Phillipines G Karlsruhe Germany GH Tema Ghana H Karachi Pakistan HC Chittigong East Pakistan J St Jaohns Canada K Clydebank Scotland L Bogota Colombia LM Kinshasha Congo M Monza Italy ML Petaling Malaysia N Taichung Taiwan P Penrith NSW Australia PR Lima Peru Q Johannesburg S Africa R Querataro Mexico T Delhi India TN Tunis Tunisia U Utsunomiga Japan V Buenos Aires Argentinia VN Saigon South Vietnam Y Maltepe Turkey Z Alcenon FranceThere were also "factories" in Wurselen in Germany and Alencon in France but I can find no record of designations for them.
Just before the Russian Revolution 1917 Singer built a vast plant in Russia but after the dust settled it was taken over by the Bolsheviks. Whether it was given a designating letter I do not know. The orginal showroom still stands in Moscow. It is now a bookstore.
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Date: Sat, 24 Feb 1996 18:39:56 -0500
From: Jim Wagner (jwagner@mindspring.com)
Subject: Different FW models
Hi Fellow Fanatics,
I was going to reply to Sheila via E-Mail but I thought this may be
of more general interest.
There were four different models of the featherweight the 221-1, 221K4, 221K5,and 221K7.
It sounds like you have a model 221K4. That is the only model of FW that Singer made with the switch on the light housing, all the others have the switch on the bed of the machine.
Another check you can make to determine which model you have is to check the model number of the motor (see the plate mounted on the motor). Each of the four models of the featherweights were originally furnished with a different motor.
Model 221-1 Model Series 3 Motor Model 221K4 Model CAK7 Motor Model 221K5 Model CAJ6-8 Motor Model 221K7 Model CAK8-8 Motor
Another distinguishing feature of the 221K4 is it is the only featherwieght model that has R.F. suppression with grounded wiring. All that means is that it shouldn't interfere with radio or T.V. signals and there should be a three prong plug to insert into the wall outlet.
Sorry I don't have any definitave information about which colors each of the models were painted.
Jim in Thomaston GA
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Date: 26 Feb 96 12:05:31 EST
From: Graham Forsdyke (100661.3256@compuserve.com)
Subject: CONTRIBUTIONS
To Lisa: Re factory designations.
The factory designation, if it was not made in the USA, followed the model number. Thus the 222K is clearly made in Scotland.
The serial number is more confusing.
I have in front of me as I write a Singer explanation of serial numbers. For American machines it gives two examples.
The first is S8247053. The explanation tells us that:
the S was the particular assembly line on which the machine was put together
the 8 indicates 1981
the 247 indicates the day of the year (Sept 4)
the 053 indicates that it was the 53rd machine built that day.
The second example is A1061C027
the A indicates Anderson, South Carolina
the 1 indicates 1981
the 061 indicates the day of the year (march 2)
the C indicates the assembly line
the 027 indicates the 27th machine that day.
There are other examples for the plants in Scotland and in Germany.
It's probably the above system that the 0800 number uses to so-accurately date machines and why they are sometimes multiples of ten years wrong as the 1 in the second example could be 1951, 61, 71, 81 or 91. Presumably models seldom lasted more than a decade in unchanged form so this wouldn't be too much of a problem.
Confussed? So am I.
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Date: Wed, 28 Feb 1996 20:36:20 -0500
From: Santilla@aol.com
Subject: Singer serial numbers
Graham: After looking at the serial numbers of over 300 Featherweights that are on the database, I can guarantee you that there are no encrypted build dates in the serial numbers. The American serial numbers start at AD545389 (1933)and methodically increase to AM696632 (1957). A good example to disprove your explanation would be AK996181 and AL000663 (both of which I own, by the way, and I can tell you they are identical, not built years apart). These two machines both have build dates of 8/11/52 (along with 10 other machines on the survey). You can see that Singer obviously used a standard progression in assigning numbers. Maybe the explanation you were given by Singer predates 1933 or is for machines made later than the 1960's. Since your example is for 1981, I will guess the latter. Also, I haven't heard of Singer giving out what appear to be bad build dates on their machines. They do frequently, however, insist that certain machines are different model numbers than what they obviously are. The data we get from Singer in New Jersey is more frequently incorrect for the British machines than with the American. And there are many serial numbers, mostly the more recent FW's, that Singer is unable to give any estimate of build date on.
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Date: 06 Mar 96 08:59:40 EST
From: Graham Forsdyke (100661.3256@compuserve.com)
Subject: Contribution
To all
I"m just a little bit excited about this. Have just found burried deep in my
archive the definitite answer to thos white/mint-green FWs.
The source is a book published by Singer in 1980 for its reps and dealers and is
a photographic record "to provide an easy means of identification of sewing
machines sold in the UK from 1870 to 1862"
Each model is photographed and with a caption giving dates of manufacture and
other details.
From it we learn;
221K Black or PALE TOURQUOISE. Black machines produced in Britain from 1949 to
1955 when entire 221K production went over to the pale tourquoise. This ended in
1964,
222K Black only. Made from 1955 to 64.
So there we have it. No white or mint green. Obviously in '55 the Black 221K was discontinued and the plant used for 222Ks with only Pale T 221Ks surviving the model change.
From other information in the book I should be able to pin down the date of allK machines if Singer USA do not have the UK information.
----------------------------
Date: 07 Mar 96 19:10:03 EST
From: Graham Forsdyke (100661.3256@compuserve.com)
Subject: Contribution
No Nancy
re DOB of 221K " I have a pale turquoise FW (to me, it will always be mint green) with a SN of F (then a verrry faint "A") 131629. Would appreciate you letting me know its DOB. Singer was no help at all. "
Just how faint is that letter A in the SN, Nancy? According to the records I'm using which were rescued from Kilbowie when the factory closed, the Singer Co went from EZ to FB without using FA at all. EZ was used from May '68 to April '70 and FB from April '69 to June '71.
As far as I can tell the SNs on British machines did not allow a to-the-day DOB until the 500 series started in 1973.
From what I read on Fanatics the Singer Co in the USA is dating many machines to the day (allbeit with a few errors). I have written to them from ISMACS requesting this dating information and, if it comes (they're a funny lot at Singer nowadays) it will be interesting to see if there is any info on the K models.
The Kilbowie two-letter SN system was started in October 1935 with EA 1. When they reached EA 999,999 they went onto EB 1.
I,O,U and W were not used with the E prefix. and from '74 the new SN system was introduced which was , in effect, a product coding rather than just a number. Previous to '35 they used a single letter but not in alphabetical order -- or anything like it.
Sorry I could not be of more help
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Date: 27 Mar 96 14:29:03 EST
From: Graham Forsdyke (100661.3256@compuserve.com)
Subject: Contribution
To Suzy/Becky re Singer dates.
Like Suzy I am rather suspicious about the Singer 800 number dates and also about the 25,000 daily production -- that's over 7 million a year. I have a lot of Singer records from the Scotish factory and much of it is contradictory.
According to Singer UK it is not possible to date machines to the day until after 1970 when a code was used within the serial number.
It could well be that batches of numbers were allocated to various factories on a given day (and this is the birthday we get) and used until exhausted when a new batch would be allocated.
I have asked Singer USA to explain its system of dating machines but so far it has failed to respond to my letters
. The situation with Becky's two machines is even odder. Singer tell her that her 66 was made in 1926 when my information says that the model was discontinued in 1920.
As for her second machine, the No 2, the situation gets into farce. The Singer No 2 was a giant industrial machine with a one-and-a-half-inch-wide flat belt, amachine that no lady and very few men could lift off the ground with ease.
Both the records held by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC and my own believe that 1873 is the date for the machine from the SN you give. I'm going to guess that the base of the machine is shaped like the back of a fiddle and, if so, it's a Singer New Family, not a No 2.
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Date: Wed, 3 Apr 1996 13:24:37 -0500
From: WAS1RAS2@aol.com
Subject: Identification/dating of machines
Here's the latest from Singre Cunsumer Affairs on 3 of my machines - any and all coments are welcome, as I am totally confused at this point !
SN#01401132-treadle in stand w/ iron base (Singer in iron on cross-piece), straight-edged base, Egytian decals in gold - winged Sphinx, fans, snake, etc.
Singer says this is a Model 2-Vibrating Shuttle, part of the series 998550-10235499, mfg'd. Mar. 3, 1891
SN#8660107-originally a treadle, but converted by Sewing Machine Exchange in B'ham, Ala - has Universal motor on it, base is fiddle-shaped and is in a portable carrying case - machine fits into base of case, the top comprising the sides and top w/handle. Singer says this is also a Model 2-Vibrating Shuttle, part of the series 8647000-8746999, mfg'd. Apr.27, 1889
SN#AB113401 - side load bobbin, floral decals, knee lever, in newer model stand. Singer says this is a 66-6, mfg'd July 8, 1926 -one of the models made between 1902-1933, the 66-19, they say, was mfg'd between 1902-1960.
Does this agree with or contradict the information other FWF members have?
Does anyone have any extra parts,accessories for these machines? Any guesses as to their value? I am wondering if they are worth insuring.
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Date: Fri, 12 Apr 1996 21:35:47 -0400
From: Millie MacKenzie (milmac@SNET.Net)
Subject: measurements
I just measured the lengths on 4 popular Singer machines and here they are.
Note, I do not have a case for the 301. Also, bed length on FW and 301 was taken with the extension in the DOWN position. I hope this helps. Millie
Lengths:
FW 66 99 301
-------------------------------------------
body 10 15 12 14
-------------------------------------------
bed 15 18 16 16
-------------------------------------------
case 13 20 17 ?
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