if it is a bantam it will be on the logo under Belair. My understanding of the Japanese look alikes, there were none of the records kept like Singer has. I expect you could spend a life time in pursuit of the mfgr. tag like I have. At a total guess the A might relate to the Nagaoka plant.
The difference is size, much like the Singer 99 and 66..and the aluminum in the bantam, making it a perfect travel machine.
Joe, you asked "BelAir Bantam is larger in diameter than the Singers, soooo you had to have the machine shop hone or bore the hand wheel out so it would fit. " The holes were identical, and yes, that is what they did.
LOVE this machine.
Last edited by KalamaQuilts; 10-21-2016 at 10:40 AM.