Originally Posted by Mickey2

This guy goes on and an about the 201, lots of interesting information. For the most part the Singer factories were very good at producing identical machines and parts where ever their factories were situated. There's usually sub model number where there is any difference. Regarding the 201, I suppose most were fitted with motor and light but I regularly see treadle and hand cranks. Treadle and hand cranks were much more common than I previously assumed, still being made way into the 1950s. I have seen two types of decor on the chrome plates of the cast iron version; an art nouveu pattern which I like a lot, and around 1950, or just before they introduced a pin striped version. Decals might have differed a bit too over the years, but always rather simple gold and black, nothing elaborate compared to earlier models.

As the piece on the 201 says; the last 201s were aluminum in stead of the heavy cast iron, it was given a different look, more angular and modern looking for the time. The internal parts are as far as I know inter changeable. My 201 is from 1950, heavy cast iron, just a few years later they were all aluminum, and the last ones came in a two tone beige and brown. This should account for the different looks of the 201.

Originally Posted by Sewnoma

I notice your lamp is on the back - I thought 201's all had the lamp in front! Is yours an aftermarket lamp or is that a normal configuration I just haven't seen yet?

Originally Posted by Rodney

Not a bad writeup but with one error. The first 201 ad for 1928 that Alex shows is a Singer 101-Singer's first domestic all electric machine. It does have a full rotary gear driven horizontal hook similar to the 201's design though.
Rodney

Originally Posted by Rodney

Not a bad writeup but with one error. The first 201 ad for 1928 that Alex shows is a Singer 101-Singer's first domestic all electric machine. It does have a full rotary gear driven horizontal hook similar to the 201's design though.
Rodney

Originally Posted by sewbeadit

I have been trying to put pics up of my 201 and for some reason my computer won't let me, so maybe some day I will be able too. I watched a you tube video with a 201-3 and the light was on the back, can't remember if it was a potted motor or not, I am wondering about that, my friend has 201's and says they all have the lights on the front too, so can't figure that out. I do know that sometimes they did just put things differently sometimes on different machines, so I have read and heard.

Originally Posted by Sewnoma

How interesting...I've been under the impression that all 201's had the lamp in front and a potted motor. Maybe I HAVE seen a 201 locally and assumed it was a 66 because the lamp was in the back and the motor was external! What do you know... Although I think the different spool pin area would have clued me in that it was something different.

I'll have to keep my eyes peeled.