Well, I rescued a Singer from the thrift shop today but can't find any info about the age, etc. It is a model 227M and the serial number is MB589791. Looks like it needs a lot of work. There is a bar thingy hanging down that isn't attached on one end so I haven't tried to sew with it but looks so nice in my sewing room. Think I might need help to keep me from trying to save every Singer I see abandoned. Maybe I'd be better off going to the SPCA. By the way, this baby weights a lot!