Miriam, I'm not sure this applies for your reprinted 301, but I found the following on ISMAC Digest this morning. I'm sure the author was meaning per-war machines being refurbished. 301s are not pre-war, right?
"Post WWII there was a great shortage of new machine (materials were
still rationed) and a new industry grew up with dealers "restoring"
earlier machines.
Complete decal sets could be bought and whilst most dealers would
paint the machines in traditional black, others were more adventurous
Graham Forsdyke
Purveyor of fine Featherweights to the gentry
ISMACS London
http://www.ismacs.net
http://www.singer-featherweight.com
Bert's Vintage Repair Book Book:
http://www.singer-featherweight.com/bert/bert.html"