My Kenmore came out in 1976 and is a free arm but it all metal. They started making the newer ones with plastic gears in 1977. I taught classes for Sears on how to use your machine. This was one of the everyone can afford it machines with free arms. If you look for the model number and type it to google, it will be the best way to find out more about it. They last forever if you take care of them. Mine is 35 years old and is still running strong. Enjoy it.