Singer 66 sewing machine
 

Can someone please tell me what the number after the dash means, ie. 66-1, 66-3, 66-8, etc. I know the model number is the 66, but what does that number after the dash mean?

There are different versions as changes were made over the years of production. The 66-1 is the Red Eye which is straight stitch only with no bar tack or reverse.

66-1 is a treadle. It may be a red eye or a lotus, or just have plain decals. Red eye is just a decorative pattern and has nothing to do with it being a 66-1. I have one that is a lotus. They are AWESOME machines.

sometimes it's as little as a different light on an electric machine. Some are more significant, like the updated bobbin winder, or the back tack feature.

I have my list showing
66
66-1
66-6
66-8
66-14
66-16
66-18
66-24

Singer did not produce these sequentially - and many variations were produced during the same time frame as one may have been a treadle, and another an electric version.

Unfortunately I don't have what the differences are on my list. Often the best way is to get a manual and look through for what is different from the others. However sometimes Singer made changes so the manual was updated but the model number didn't change. I've not checked the mechanics to see if there are significant changes that way, that would not show in the manual.

According to the Singer catalogues from the early 1900s ( http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollect...es/image11.htm and http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollect...ges/image3.htm ), the first number is the Class of machine and the number after the hyphen would be the variety. In the case of those machines manufactured at Kilbowie the variety is listed after the "K". I have also read that the first number is the model, and the sub-model is listed after the hyphen or K.

In addition to what has been mentioned, I think that the 66-1 and 66-3 are back/rear clamp presser foot. I think that the 66-18 is godzilla finished but otherwise the same as 66-16 machine. I have the 66-16 and it is the glossy black finish. Another source to find some of the differences between the varieties or sub-models can be found at http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...sses-1-99.html

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Thank you so much to all of you who took the time to give me some feedback. I really appreciate it. Thanks again.