Singer sewing machines date to 1851 when Isaac Merritt Singer started a sewing machine company. Singer was convinced he could design a better sewing machine than the available models of that time. With the thousands of styles and designs that were made, it could require some effort to date your Singer sewing machines to the exact year of production. Still in existence as of 2010, the Singer Sewing Machine Company itself is a useful resource for information about your machines.
Look for the Singer name on the front of your machine to confirm its identity as a Singer sewing machine. Whether it is a brand new or vintage machine, the Singer brand name will be on the machine. On some of the older models, which might have the brand name painted onto the finish of the machine, the lettering might be too scratched or faded to read. Consequently, you may have to try to use the model and serial numbers as you go through the process of dating the machine.
![Dating Singer Sewing Machines By Serial Number Dating Singer Sewing Machines By Serial Number](/uploads/1/2/6/2/126284476/904806160.jpg)
The date often given by the Singer corporation as a machine's 'birthdate' is actually the date the batches of serial numbers were released for production. As a classic example: I own a 1951 'badged' Centennial of Sewing machine that obviously is from 1951. However, the serial number on the machine is from 1949. The Anderson factory did not manufacture 1 million 'NB' serial numbered sewing machines in 1 year, 1956. Singer Model 301A, 401A and 403A all have 'NB' serial numbers! NC-1961 (Singer Allotted 1 million Serial Numbers) The Anderson factory did not manufacture 1 million 'NC' serial numbered sewing machines in 1 year, 1961.
Find the serial number of the machine. The serial number will not be the same as the model number. Typically, the serial number can be found on the lower backside or the underside of the machine.
Look for the model number of your machine if you are unable to locate the serial number or it is unreadable. The Singer model numbers are usually located on the hand-wheel side of the machine, on the front panel or in the case of some of the earliest machines, there might be no model number, but there should still be a serial number. Singer sewing machines can be dated by using either the model number or serial number, although you may be able to better pinpoint an exact year of manufacture using the serial number.
Use the larger number if there appears to be two different serial numbers on your machine. You can contact Singer directly at their consumer affairs department (1-800-4-Singer) if you have a question concerning dual serial numbers, or if you have only a partial model or serial number visible. They may be able to help determine the model number with the partial number and a physical description.
![Dating singer sewing machines by serial number list Dating singer sewing machines by serial number list](https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/g/6FwAAOSwWdFcfJXw/s-l225.jpg)
List of allocated serial numbers for Singer Featherweight 221K sewing machines made in Kilbowie, Clydebank, Scotland. How old is my sewing machine, the serial number starts with a letter. G-1 to G-927.000 G-927.001 to G-1.691.650 G-1.691.651 to G-2.574.400 G-2.574.401 to G-3.423.850 G-3.423.851 to G-3.903.500 G-3.903.501 to G-4.398.215 G-4.398.216 to G-5.104.460 G-5.104.461 to G-5.862.030 G-5.862.031 to G-6.582170 G-6.582.171 to G-7.687.950 G-7.687.951. Accession number of white sewing machine in no letter and model patent date for years the serial number k. Which a classic example, tablecloths or base 15xm x 1: item - singer sewing machine serial numbers.
Dating Singer Sewing Machines By Serial Number Name
Check a published serial number list to find the date of manufacture for your Singer sewing machine. Two websites with comprehensive lists are the Singer site at SingerCo.com and ISMACS.net (International Sewing Machine Collector’s Society). Both sites offer date of manufacture lists by serial number and model number.