As the topic title says I am searching for a 401a in condition 8 1/2 or 9 on the evaluation scale antique dealers use, I believe. 10 being 'brand new'.
1. Where do I find out what constitutes an 8 1/2 or 9 401a? Or, where do I go on the net to find that information?
2. Do any of you have a favorite year that the model was manufactured, also which is better, the one with most of the stitches built in and has 5 cams and the top lid flips up showing the stitch patterns, or the one that has a lot more cams?
Thanks for your help. Libber

Oh I love my 401A! I bought it at a garage sale last fall. That is the machine I learned to sew on many years ago. Since mom sold hers, I have always wanted one of my own. The one my mom had, and the one I bought, have the built in cams.

I don't know but my DH gave me one for my birthday just recently.

Lucky you, I am fantasizing with envy. My 201 has a big cabinet like yours and I love that feature. Is this machine now your machine of first choice? Thanks, Libber

Were you able to find out what year it was built aka birthdate?