OurWorkbench

Shelley,
I certainly wouldn't want to take the arm/pillar off. I'd be afraid all the other parts wouldn't go back together and have it work as well.
Do you have a scanner to get the front cover of the green manual. I'm curious as to which machine it is for. I thought the majority of them are 221-1. You might want to try http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...s-200-299.html for the differences between the various sub-models. The other site listed above also has something about the difference in the face plates but those are easily switched. I think the badges and decals were changed a little bit, too. Maybe researching those may give a better time frame of your machine.
I like to think that most of the machines have original equipment and parts - I should know better.
Janey -Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

SunlitenSmiles

Woah...I think "Shady Lady" or if it is a guy it could be "Chip"

SunlitenSmiles

wonderful that the machine sews well and the pin rash indicates someone sewed quite a bit somewhere in the past.

illinois

Don't know if this will work on your machine--while doing cemetery research, a person can dust flour into the carvings/etchings to bring those up so they can be read. You'll need to be exceptionally careful that anything such as this doesn't get into the workings of the machine though! Maybe she just needs to continue to be your "mystery lady"?

lindaschipper

Beautiful machine. Looks like you will have hours on hours of pleasurable sewing. Have fun and good luck!

Shelley M

I have gotten some great ideas here, and I thank you all. We have tried the pencil rub, the play doh,and all and I think she is not going to give up the number from that usual place. I guess I am okay with this. An earlier poster here included an article about serial numbers being destroyed on certain machines on purpose. I am still unclear as to why this would be done. Does anyone know? I think I just want to determine the model now. Is it a 221? How do I tell? I will download a copy of the manual and study the workings once I determine the model. Or is that impossible to do without a serial number? She has obviously been sewn on long and hard. Some of her scrollwork has rubbed off from use and her motor has been replaced. As in life, few us age without a hiccup or two. I don't mind a challenge and will continue to research! She looks like she will be a hard worker.

ManiacQuilter2

Congratulation on getting a FW. It is something I always wanted too.

Mrs. SewNSew

She is definitely a 221. A 222 would have removeable bed to convert to free arm.

WMUTeach

I have one that appears to be its twin. I will check the number and PM you when I get home. My little owners manual even looks the same. End plate with the scroll work and the case also look the same.

Glenda m

I am wondering, too. What is the 'arm' and could we have photo of it?