My featherweight's number is on the bottom and she is a 1947.

Ok... the seller finally posted a photo of the face plate. It is definitely manufactured after WWII... if I am correct, as it is the striated plate and not the Egyptian Scroll, which is what I am searching for. Thank you all for lots of great information in this search.

Are you going to pass on it? Seems like a great price.

Yes, I am. I am searching for something in the 1930/40's era.

In your opinion,... if you were going to purchase a FW... would you purchase a 'newer' model ie: '50's, or an older model in the 30's/40's?? I am smitten by the older ones in the 30's/40's I guess just because the are so old and love the Egyptian Scroll plate. I have been discounting the FW's w/ the striated plates. Sounds kind of silly, guess it's just a personal preference.
Really would love anyone's opinion as to whether one decade is better/worse than the other.
thank you

I have both, and if you are looking for performance, there is no difference in mine (one 'newer', two 'older') I would say it is your preference. They are great little machines.

I checked Graham Forsdyke's site for info. This was on the page about myths/facts about FWs.

"It is impossible to state the exact date on which minor specification changes took place – for example the switch from "deco" face plate to straited design. Parts bins at the factory were topped up as they became low and it was quite possible for an early feature to appear on a later machine as the parts bin got lower again"

So a later machine might have the faceplate you desire, divokittysmom.

You might check with him about the serial number issue. You can email him from the web page.

Quilt Mom, thanks so much for that interesting information about the face plates! And, I guess it really does boil down to personal preference. I really need to concentrate on performance rather than just the face plate. ;)

My (guess) would be that it may be a Oct 1948, (ie) an AH825 serial number. Something may have happened to the A as they were stamping. I might add that I don't know what method that they used for numbering the machines.

But it sure looks like a nice machine.

I have an early featherweight, 1936. At that time, they did not make the numbered tension knob, so if I change a tension there is no reference to change it back. It takes some fiddling sometimes compared with later models that have the numbered tension knob. She sews fine though! You are right, it is mostly a matter of personal preference. I love that my machine is twenty years older than me and still going strong! I enjoy imagining the different folks who must have used her over the years.