When did Singer start making the 1200? The 1200 is basically a 201 with the knee lift. Some machines come on a base that looks like a treadle but isn't. The treadle is just the lever for the controller. That sounds like what you're looking at.
If it is a 201 or 1200 it's a good solid machine. You can't touch anything new of comparable quality for $400 but it's also likely you would never be able to sell it for that again either.
Rodney