Originally Posted by irishrose
luce321, my understanding is that Necchi didn't keep very good records. If yours says, "Made in Italy" you can join the Yahoo group for some info. The best I could find out about mine was that it is pre 1950 because it has a VN, not just a N. Then the block N was modernized and that's another marker, but I don't the year on that. My number 600630 and it's a BF, so it only straight stitches.
Newer Necchi machines were made in Japan. I think it is a crap shoot whether one is any good or not. I think they made some for Sears too. Necchi and Elna pooled talent at some point too. I have a Necchi foot control on my Elna - works. I think you want a high end OLD Necchi if you want a Necchi unless you are just collecting machines.