Originally Posted by 4dogs
With these old machines, HOW can you know if its a feather weigh? I was looking on craigslist and just couldnt tell with the pictures of the older machines.......is there a good way to know?
You can always ask the seller for the serial number, then go to the Singer site to look up the model
http://www.singerco.com/support/serial_numbers.html. Also, ask how much it weighs. The FWs only weigh 11 lbs. without the case. The 301s weigh around 15 lbs. The 66 and 99s weigh a ton (or at least it just feels that way).
The black Featherweights usually have the number 221 below the seal on the front. Once you've seen a white or tan FW, you won't ever mistake another machine for one of those.