I bought a Featherweight in 1952 at the local Singer store. Yes, Singer used to have their own stores even in smallish towns like ours. I then took it to college with me.
I wish I still had it, but I traded it in on a large Pfaff. I was married by then and had a dtr to sew for. Now she has the old Pfaff and I have 3 machines and a serger....but I still wish I had kept the Featherweight. I have learned it is OK to own more than one sewing machine!