mjkgquilt

What does bthsms translate to?

cashs_mom

I have my mom's old 301A. I've just gotten it out recently and it sews like a dream. I just got the 1/4" foot that I bought for it. I'm really looking forward to sewing on it. I think my mom bought the 301A around 1956 or 57. I know it was after we moved to California in 56.

Morningcoffee

Hi, here is the picture of "Mom's old Singer" As I said I can't find a plate under the medallion. Hope this will help.[ATTACH=CONFIG]542333[/ATTACH]

DKuehn

There certainly is not serial number plate there. I'm not positive where it is on the 401, but my 500 has it on the bottom.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]542336[/ATTACH]

Mickey2

Have you had a chance to give it some oil and TLC, maybe done a bit of test stitching? The 401 has everything I look for in a vintage machine; all metal gears, dependable and well built. I have yet to know know it hands on though ;-)

mjkgquilt

Morning Coffee, in the morning when I have lots of get up and go, I'll take my 401A off the top of a shelf and look for the serial number. Will tell you one way or the other what I find.

LadyElisabeth

We are packing up and moving 6 gererations of our home, and I found the old featherwight in a corner of the basement. It will be going to my favorite service people for a good cleaning and tune up. I'm very excited

mjkgquilt

This is when I wish there were still Singer stores. I could not find what I think is a serial number on my 401A. Sorry.

OurWorkbench

Morningcoffee you can find a lot of good information about dating the 301, 401 & others at http://singer301.com/dating/default.html

I thought I had seen a page at singerco.com about the different location of serial number but don't know if it is still there. Trying to locate the serial number can sometimes be tricky. Even knowing some of the different locations - they seem to be easily overlooked, sometimes a light has to be just right to find it, AMHIK. On the 401A it is on the underside on the left side, about even with the needle. It is stamped into the metal and then painted over the same as the rest of the underside.

Do you have a manual for the machine? If not I would suggest you download one from http://www.singerco.com/support/instruction-manuals

As Miriam said "They aren't all that intuitive" I found that the knobs & associated parts under the top needed attention and also the needle plate lifter.

Good luck and happy sewing

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Bug Lady

I love my Mom's 301 too. I offer a concern that the 1/4" foot my not be a 1/4"--probable a very fat 1/4". just saying.
Happy Valentine's, Karen