I am thinking of purchasing a Singer Featherweight for traveling in our RV. I feel this little machine would be ideal for travels because of it's small size, light weight and no computer boards to get fried by RV parks constantly fluctuating electricity. :shock:

I read that FW's manufactured before WWII are made with a bit heavier/sturdier metals than those after WWII. Therefore, supposedly they are more desirable than the later models. I have no idea whether this is true or a sales ploy. :?:
I have seen so many beautiful FW's on Ebay and really have no idea which years to search for, or if it really matters.
I would absolutely love some clarification!! Thank you so much for any replies. :-D

For me I only wanted one that was 'born' the same year as I was... but that didn't happen so picked one up that was 'older'. I haven't heard about the metal being better pre WWII. I think the 'birthdate' is just something everybody wants to know and is an added 'cute' feature.

It will be interesting to see what others say....

I own two FW both were manufactured after WWII, and they are great for travel, I to am interested in the answers to this inquiry

I haven't heard about the metal being better pre WWII either. I have a 1952 and love it. I wanted one that is my birth year but couldn't find it. I don't think the year really matters. :)

I'm told pre 50's machines are all metal, no plastic parts, machines are suppose to be easier to maintain. The machines now days are sometimes considered "disposinle"

I'm one of the lucky ones who does have one as old as me- a 1951 model. My sister has an older one and I can find no difference in the two machines as far as sturdiness goes. Her's has the pretty scroll faceplate and mine has the plainer striated one.

Sometimes I understand that older machines were "updated" and older parts (the scroll face) were switched out for newer ones. I have an older one and some of the feet are black from WWII metal shortages. I have heard that they just dumped the newer parts in a bin and then picked from it so you might have either one depending. I haven't ever heard anything about older being sturdier, tho some where here in one of the FW threads someone was saying the early ones are worth more as the first couple of years they only made 10,000 vs later years when they made up to 50,000.

I don't think the year matters as far as actual sewing is concerned. There are small differences according to the year and knowledgeable featherweight owners can often tell at a glance approximately when a machine was made. The scroll faceplate was used prior to 1951 (the Centennial model, considered by many as "more collectible"). Later models in the 1950's often had the feed dog cover plate marked with the seam allowances which is a nice feature for stitching. There are differences in cases and accessory trays too. Older cases had leather handles and larger full sized trays while later models had smaller side attachment trays and some were even red! The placement of the light switches also varied as the years went by and the gold decals painted on the bed of the machine also changed. These small details make Featherweights unique.

I just bought one off of ebay. Per Billie, according to the serial number, it is from 10/28/47, and there were 30,000 made at that time. Mine has the striated face. I would like to get a scroll face. I wonder if they are interchangeable? Sandy

Yes, the face plates are interchangable. I have seen the scroll face plates on E-Bay. I have way to many featherweights as collecting them sees for me an obsession. I am strongly thinking of selling some of them. I think last count I have 10+. Some have have repainted and new decals. I have a couple definately not for sale including the free arm 222 and one I painted a green/purple paint changing color. (this one was a birthday gift from hubby that I sanded down and completely redid.