So I found a Featherweight from 1951. Does the year matter? I'm really interested in getting one for portability! And because they are really cool! What do I need to look for?

One that WORKS! LOL sorry - must of gotten up too early.

Really - don't know if there is a 'best year'. Looks are really not that important unless you're looking for pretty. I would take an ugly one that runs well over a pretty one that's a pain in the bottom to keep running any day.

Hee hee, really is it worth it to get one? That's a lot of fabric money!!!

Other than the year of the person's birth I don't really think one year is better than another.

As long as you are happy with the 1951 Featherweight, that is all that matters. When I purchased my Centennial Featherweight, I wanted to try it out and make sure it worked. I would go for it!

Any year that works , I would think :lol:

I would be more concerned over the working condition than the year :D:D:D

I have been told the pre-war scroll faced are better than the post war. I only have scroll faces but I have friend with the post-war and they seem fine. I guess you just have to get the one that wants to come to your house.

Featherweight value is highly dependent on cosmetic condition. "Mint" condition with the decals and finish all perfect is the best, of course. Year does not matter much; condition matters a lot.

Many machines have had their scroll faces switched out (the earlier, fancy ones getting taken off machines in poor condition and put on later machines in good condition to increase their value). The elaborate scrolls are worth more money.

You have to decide on the importance of cosmetic condition vs working condition to you in relation to cost. Working featherweights in poor cosmetic condition will cost considerably less than those in mint condition.