I am trying to learn about this FW I was lucky to get. Mine has a fancy scroll front plate. Do they all have this? How can I find out how old this machine is? You all are so helpful...I appreciate any info I can get.

To start,go to the "vintage sewing machine shop" on this board, plz note there are several of them, the oe with 1500+ pgs is main, then there ois the photo shop, parts shop, and project shop. It is awealthof knowleedge, links and help!

Go to mySINGERstory.com
Put in the serial number and Singer will tell you the year.
You can also tell your story and it registers you to win the new 160th anniversary model.
They also give you a certificate to print.
I have the 301a (big sister to the FW)
101 (first electric model)
1590 (electric after the treadle)
Plus two modern Singers, the Fashion mate and the 150th anniversary model.
HAVE FUN!

Not all FW's have the scroll face. Mine does. It does have a tendancy to make them more valuable if that's a concern for you. Not for me - just happened to get lucky with that. Congrats on your FW.

There is also the FW thread itself to tell about yours!

Enjoy, they are fun baby beasts and will sew their little hearts out for you!

Only the older Featherweights have the scroll plate. About 1950 or so, Singer started using the striated face (striped) faceplate as it was cheaper to produce. The last Featherweights (white or tan ones) had no face plate at all. If you read up on the history of Featherweights, you will discover other small differences as well (style of accessory tray, case, placement of light switch etc.)All of this makes for great reading if you are in love with the machine.

My favorite resource is the book The Perfect Portable by Nancy Johnson-Srebro. Not only has she done a lot of research, she also has printed practically the whole manual in big picture. My copy is all greasy from using it for oiling! I bought this book the same night I found my FW in an antique store and used to decide wether we ought to buy. We did and I've never been sorry.

;)