Just awhile ago, I saw a question about featherweights; what makes them such a great find. I started to answer it, and it clicked off.
If the person posting the question would send me a pm, I will be happy to tell you why I am so crazy about my featherweight.
Of course, I can't remember the name.
Mariah.

Hi! It wasn't me! :) I do have two featherweights that I have yet to sew a stitch on. Yikes!!!! I KNOW! LOL...but it just got them out and have fallen in love with them again. Such little darlings!
One, Liza, is a 221 made in 1939 in Elisabeth, N.J. in 1939! (The plate on it is striated)I'm pretty sure she's been refinished...bright and shiny with all the trim in tact.
The other is a 221K born in 1960 in Clydebank, Scotland in 1960. Her name is Lassie (well, she IS from Scotland!) She sports the fancy scroll work and is in top condition! Again, no real wear patterns!
So...now it's my goal to get them out and start using them! I am SO blessed! :)

Chigger Holler Quilter, I think you have your Featherweights mixed up. The older machine should have the fancy scrollwork face plate and the striated plate started appearing on Featherweights after 1950. Sometimes face plates are changed but it's not a regular thing. Face plates are one of the first clues as to the age of your Featherweight and older Featherweights do not have 221 on them. Happy stitching.