Alex has spent a lifetime in the sewing industry and is considered one of the foremost experts of pioneering machines and their inventors. He has written extensively for trade magazines, radio, television, books and publications world wide. You may have seen him on The Great British Sewing Bee or How The Victorians Built Britain.
The simple guide to dating your early Singer sewing machines. (Where your Singer has two serial numbers always choose the larger of the two to date your machine)
Millions of Singer sewing machines have been produced since they were first invented by Isaac Merritt Singer in 1850, so pricing one can be a formidable task. The most popular collectible Singer models are the Featherweight, the Turtleback, the Blackside, the Singer 301. Download 2643 Singer Sewing Machine PDF manuals. User manuals, Singer Sewing machine Operating guides and Service manuals.
Singer machine serial number dating GuidePlease note this is only a guide, not gospel! Some people mail me to say they have a receipt from 1950 so how could my guide have their machine as made in 1948 or 1949? Let me explain. The production runs at factories like Kilbowie were complex and long. The castings were marked with the serial number during manufacture. The machines were miles from completion, packing and delivery. Then there is delivery to the depot, storage, sales to the shop, and eventually sales to the customer.
These factors all effect the purchase/receipt date, but not the date of manufacture.
For example during WW2 it is a well know fact the Singers were making guns and bullets as well as sewing machines. Only when they could spare the time would they continue with sewing machine production. I have come across a woman who bought her machine brand new in 1946 yet the casting was clearly made in 1939 just before the outbreak of WWII. During World War Two Singer had back orders for over three millions machines!
Now to the dating
All Singers up until 1900 have no letter prefix and came from several factories around the world. The company cleverly managed their production from all factories to coincide with the serial number flow. If you fancy a read on the collapse of Singer have a go at my blog, End of Empire.
![]() Why two serial numbers?
Very early Singers from the 1850's up until the start of prefix letters in 1900 had two serial numbers. There is a lot of controversy over why there were two lots of numbers. The most likely answer is that the larger number was the total number of machines produced by Singers when they only had a few factories and could keep up with, and control, the production output from Britain and America. The lower number may be the total production run up until that number of that particular model range.
https://autobrown510.weebly.com/blog/best-dvd-ripper-software. Singers have never manage to shed light on these two numbers especially as many have the last three digits the same!
Note: when two serial numbers are on the machine use the larger of the serial numbers.
Fix it utilities free version. Anyway here goes nothing. I do hope you find it useful.
Note: On pre-1900 Singer machines if there are two serial numbers, always use the higher, longer, larger, serial number of the two.
Although they are often found at garage sales, flea markets, and estate sales with very low price tags, there are several models of antique Singer sewing machines that are highly sought after by collectors. These beautiful pieces of sewing history are popular with antiques collectors and sewing enthusiasts alike. High school driver education curriculum.
Identifying Antique Singer Sewing Machines
Because of the many technological changes Singer introduced over the years, examining the serial number on any Singer will reveal the time period in which the machine was produced. To identify and date your sewing machine, look up the serial number on a chart like the free one in this article.
If you need help downloading this printable, check out these helpful tips.
Singer Sewing Machine Company: A Brief History
In the early 1850s, Isaac Merritt Singer inventing the first really practical sewing machine of the times. Instead of a circular shuttle movement and a horizontally angled needle, the Singer machine used a straight needle that worked vertically. This made it comparatively easy to use and inexpensive to produce, and 'Singer' rapidly became a household name in sewing.
Over the following decades, Singer continued developing his improved sewing machine to include the following features:
Surging Popularity
By 1863, the Singer Manufacturing Company held 22 patents and sold 20,000 sewing machines yearly. Within eight years, the yearly sales reached 180,000 sewing machines, which included their New Family machines released for sale in 1865.
Introduction of Electric Motors
As the leader of the sewing machine industry, the Singer Company introduced the first practical sewing machine powered by an electrical motor in 1889. Within two years, commercial sewing machines were being sold powered by electric motors. By this time, the company also was producing commercial zigzag sewing machines.
Important Singer Sewing Machines
Singer sewing machines were constantly improved and updated. Since the first machines were produced in the 1950s, thousands were sold to eager consumers. The beautiful cabinets, well-made machines, and practical improvements made Singer sewing machines a must for the average household. In fact, the quality of these early machines is so good that there are still many Singer treadle sewing machines in use today.
1851
The first Singer sewing machine was patented in 1851. It was the first rigid-arm model and included a table to support the cloth. A vertical presser foot kept the cloth in place during the upstroke of the needle. Most importantly, the machine was the first to have a foot pedal instead of a hand crank. These first machines were designed to be set up on the packing crate that they were shipped in.
1856
The Turtleback was the first machine designed for home use. It had a rocking treadle and a driving wheel.
1859
The Letter A machine improved upon the Turtleback. The foot treadle was wider and easier to use.
1865
The New Family machine was released in 1865. This machine had a lockstitch and an adjustable feed. It was black with a gold scroll design on the machine.
1867
Singer made a modification to the New Family machine with its 'Medium' sewing machine, released in 1867. It had more room under the arm, which made it easier for the seamstress to manipulate large amounts of fabric.
1908Value Of Old Sewing Machines With Cabinet
The Singer Class 66 model was a treadle machine. Later Class 66 models had a motor and numbered tension dial added. The 66 is easily identified by the 'red eye' decals decorating it.
1921
Singer introduced the model 99 electric sewing machine. It was the first portable electric machine and included a bolted on electric light so that the work was easier to see.
1933
The Featherweight, model 221, was introduced at the Chicago World's Fair. This beautiful machine was black with a scrollwork faceplate and gold decals. It included a chrome-rimmed handwheel and a stitch regulator plate. If you can find one in its original case and with the accessories, it will be worth more than just the machine.
1939
In 1939 Singer introduced the 201 and 201K. These are considered by many collectors to be the best machines that Singer ever produced. The machines sewed seams smoothly, with little vibration
1941-1947
The Singer Blackside was manufactured during the years of World War II. It was called Blackside because all of the parts, including the cover over the light bulb, were painted black.
1949
The Model 95 was introduced in 1949. This machine could produce 4,000 stitches in 60 seconds.
1949
The 301 was the first slant shank and needle machine. It had a vertical, side-loading rotary hook and an aluminum body. While it was similar to the 201, there were some differences as well. The feed dogs drop and it had a marked needle throat plate.
1952
Singer introduced the 206 model. It was the first domestic zigzag sewing machine.
Where to Buy Antique SingersSinger Sewing Machines
Because of their popularity and durability, finding antique Singers is relatively easy. If you're looking for a specific model, you may need to do some extra searching. Depending on the model and condition, Singer sewing machine values can vary dramatically from about $50 to upwards of $500.
Some of the best sources for finding a vintage Singer machine include the following:
Antique Singer Sewing Machines Value
Antique Singer Sewing Machine PricesUsing Antique Singer Sewing Machines
Many of even the oldest Singer sewing machines are still in use because they were made to last. Unlike machines of today, these old machine were made of heavy duty materials and easily replaced parts. If the instruction manual is missing, you can often get another at the Singer website.
Antique Singer Sewing Machines Value Guides
Whether you treasure antique Singer sewing machines because they bring back nostalgic memories of years past, are historically significant, or simply beautify your home, you're not alone. Each one, regardless of its commonness or rarity, held a valued place in a home of yesteryear.
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