There are small differences in featherweights according to the year but a different style face plate or the light switch in another location will not affect the stitching quality. Most of the featherweights that I see lately were purchased new in the late 1940's and early 1950's which makes sense as many of these owners are now in their eighties and their machines are being sold in estate sales or before a downsizing move. I have noticed that featherweights are selling more reasonably these days. There were two listed on kijiji in Ontario today, one at $125 and one at $150. There was also one at $450 from a few days ago that hadn't sold.