Question regarding mismarking Featherweights by Singer
 

I have been searching for a Featherweight in great condition. I have found one that is gorgeous, looks to be in mint condition. The problem is that the Serial # does not match any Featherweights on the chart. It is a single letter of H and that dates it to 1906,but Featherweights weren't manufactured until 1933. Even Singer told the seller it was made in 1906!! The photo clearly shows a Featherweight, along with a photo of the serial #. The gentleman says he is stumped as he knows it is a FW, as it was his grandmothers.
Here is a copy of an article that the seller found regarding mismarked FW's. I have tried googling it and this is the only thing I could find on mismarked FW's.
More information regarding the serial number. I found the following on a website: thefeatherweightactory.com - "There may be cases where your serial number does not fall within a Featherweight production range and may be listed under a different model number machine, such as a Model 15. This does not make the machine "rare" but is simply an error by Singer when they prepared the historical serial number lists or the data was simply recorded in error at the time of production" Hope this helps.

I will be interested to see what the response is, as I am purely stumped too! Is this machine for real??? Thanks to anyone who can shed some light on this.

Chrys at Needlebar told me this about serial numbers:

"As Carol pointed out the Singer charts have some errors. The charts also have some changes from the first time they posted them. The models that say St. Jean were shipped there for final assembly. The heads were cast at Elizabethport. They did that because St. Jean was behind on production."

Chrys told me that sometimes a run of a certain model of machine was stopped to make a short run of another. Does your machine have the characteristics of an early FW model?

Do you have a pic. of the machine? Would be interested in just seeing it.

I agree with Gerbie, post a picture and someone here can help clear up the mystery of the Featherweight.

???????????
J j

Ok, here is the link to the Ebay auction for this machine. It really is a gorgeous little machine, just very hard to date it. And the seller doesn't know much about sewing machines sooo... I asked him to post a photo of the face plate and he told me to check the 6th photo,....it's of the label on the motor.....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/180842176276...84.m1423.l2649

I have a white featherweight that was also recorded wrong. I contacted Singer and they gave me the info on my machine. This is not unusual...Singer made a lot of recording errors.

Google Alex Askaroff and email him. He is in England and has some really old and extensive Singer records. He can help you with your mystery. You will like his web site.

I think Charlee may be onto something, asking if it has the characteristics of and early featherweight. With the serial number on the bottom, doesn't that indicate earlier model?

BTW, what is the thing between the needles and the blanket binding?

Ah! Quilt Mom, you jogged my memory!! Graham Forsdyke is considered the leading expert in Featherweights! He can be contacted through his website:

http://www.singer-featherweight.com/

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.

The machine pictured on ebay looks just like mine that is from the late 40s / early 50s. (Don't remember which of my machines, the featherweight or the 15K, is from 1949 and which from 1953).

I would buy it because it is clearly a featherweight. If you just want it for your own pleasure it doesnt matter what the serial number is just enjoy it. I have a black 1951 and a white 1964 and they are both great.