Question about 301
 

Seems I read somewhere that the 301 was the last of the classic black Singers (except for some after market copies). I can't find the source now - maybe someone out there knows and has a better memory than I! I'm documenting all my vintage machines - where I got them, their features, etc so I never forget their history. Thanks!

I guess it's partly true. Do you go by the black japanning alone? I have a beige 201K23, and I have seen a few in the black finish with simple gold decals. The later aluminium 201 version was only made in the Kilbowie factory in Scotland, and I think the last batch was late as 1962. The black cast iron versions were made a bit into the 1950s.

For the slant shank 301, I don't know when the production ended, but the 404 is a simple straight stitch machine, and all the 400s and 500 numbers are as fare as I know all metal machines. These are of course beige.

Singer 99 was kept up for a long time too, and came in the black shiny japanning up until 1958. It continued as the beige (or greene) 185 with slightly updated exterior, but remained much the same all metal model as the 99.

It's easy to over look, but model 66 was kept up for a long time too, and I don't think it ever came in any other color than the black japanning. I know the last 128Ks were made as late 1962 as well, and I think they all came in black.

The last 301s is said to have been made in 1957, but I don't know when ended the black finish.

I thought the VS 28s were made into the early 60s. Can't verify that though.

sorry Mickey2 beat me there.

Just going from a quick search on the ISMAC list, there are batches of 15K80, 128K, and 99K made in 1961 and 62. It says nothing about the japanning though. Sorry about all the typos in the first reply, it was done a bit hasty.

I haven't done any alcohol test on the early black alumium 201s, and haven't had my hands on a 301 yet either. I think most if not all black 221s are shellac. I'm not sure if there are any strict defenition on what japanning is, but I sort of call all the shiny black machines with gold decals jappaning. I don't think any European piece of furniture or sewing machine that close to Japanese urushi lacquer.

As far as new models go, I believe that is correct, that the 301 was the last new model offered in classic black. I’ve never seen a black 400 series, and I don’t think they were offered in anything but tan and cream. At least at the Anderson factory.
If you’re putting together information on your machines you might enjoy this site, http://www.mysingerstories.com/
You can enter your serial number for machines built before 1970 and receive a pdf certificate.

I think the 201K23 was introduced a couple year after 301, something like 1954. but of course not in the anderson factory, and not an entirely new model, but it was given a new look and cast aluminium body. The first few years it came in black, then gradually to tan and two tone tan-brown. My 1955 201K23 is all tan, but it looks like there were an overlapping period of all three colors for a few years.

The 301 not only came in Black...have two but also Tan which I also have.

My 1957 15-75 is black.

Yes. That 15-75 is a beater. Looked like some farmers wife was patching overalls or feed bags on it. It sews magically through anything. I love it.