Dating your vintage Singer sewing machine

Similar subject: How to determine WHERE your Singer was built…
Link: • Where was my Singer se...
Some people make the same mistakes when dating an old vintage Singer sewing machine.
EVERY Singer has a serial number (except the Singer toys). It is a long number, stamped on the frame of the machine.
Often the age (and the factory among others) can be determined using websites or the app.
The serial number is NOT the number on the removable motor.
The serial number is NOT stamped on any random part
The serial number is NOT the short MODEL number. (No, a 191b (191B) is NOT made in 1918)
The production year is NOT stamped on the machine, anywhere.
The production year is NOT the date the original patent was licensed.
(NOTE: Unfortunately not all records have survived, so not all machines can be dated accurately.)
I have multiple vids online on Singer sewing machines. Feel free to watch more…
Featured machine:
Many Singer sewing machines were used. Like the Singer 12k, 48k, 401G, 201k mark 1, 201k mark 2, 15k88, 31k32, 24-7, 24-32, 128k, 15m, k20.
Used royalty free soundtrack/music:
Far Apart - Causmic
(KZbin audiolibrary)
Gear:
Sony PDW680 broadcast camcorder
Tascam DR60D-MII for voice recording
Note: English is not my native language. My sincere apologies for any mispronunciations!

[@rickherman4539]

so I got that app that you showed . all day I tried to find the models by just using the serial numbers . to no avail. until you showed me that app. thank you very much for the big help. I'm looking for a 201 and this will help tremendously. hats off pal

[@erikneek]

Thank you so much Rick. I'm glad I was able to help you. I hope you will find a great 201 (such a great machine!) Take care and good luck

[@rickherman4539]

@@erikneek so when I was scrolling on KZbin. then I came across yours. dating a vintage singer. I kind of laughed a little because I took it the wrong way. never dated a sewing machine before. 😂😂😂 thanks again for that app

[@erikneek]

@@rickherman4539 LOL! Never thought it could have this double meaning. Thanks for pointing it out.

[@jimmellenberger8505]

Excellent, I was trying to figure out where the number was on my 503A, and your video helped me do that. Thanks!

[@erikneek]

Glad to hear that! Thank you for your message. Good luck and enjoy your machine!

[@robertechols9094]

Hey Erik Are you familiar with a date being stamped into the bottom of the wood above the right hand side drawers? I took a cabinet apart and found 1-41 underneath. Thanks in advance!

[@erikneek]

Hi Robert, Thank you for your message. No I don't know anything about those numbers. But honestly I don't think it's a date - I could be wrong though. Got me thinking... There is a facebook group on Singer cabinets and tables. (I'm not a member...) Maybe you can join that group and post a picture. Just an idea. Thanks again and take care, Erik

[@dontgo2hell]

Same here! Did you figure anything out regarding these numbers on the wood?

[@markgalvin4696]

Hi Erik, thanks for for informative videos. I have just purchased a vintage singer Y5082051 and use the app to date it. The information I got was 1927 and 100,000 units. Is there any other information you can give me on this model including how rare it is? The machine is in a wooden table with pedal.

[@erikneek]

Hi Mark, thank you so much for watching the videos and your message. I think you have a Singer model 66 made in Kilbowie (Clydebank, near Glasgow) Scotland, in 1927. There were 100,000 units made in that batch, but millions in total. Records of the Kilbowie plant and Elisabethport plant have survived. Via ISMACS.net you can search the serial numbers. [[ If you hate X-Mas you could make an excel-file and make a list of how many 66-machines were made 🙂 LOL! I did that with the Singer 28/128 and Singer 15 ]] The Singer 66 is not a rare machine, but it is a nice machine and people do love those old Singer model 66 sewing machines. Take care and enjoy your 66!

[@LoveMyRottweiler1]

Hey Erik, great video...Today I picked up a Antique Singer 15-91 sewing machine with a serial number C000549 decoder dates this machine 1908 however no information on the serial number starting with "C" is this a rare find? Needs some work but overall good condition no rust...has a travel case with two small drawers and a foot petal, motor works, light works, original manual, the drop-in bobbin is missing, needs to be rewired. Your thoughts...thanks.

[@erikneek]

Hi, thank you for your message. I'm glad you liked the video. Your machine is interesting. The C-serial number means that your Singer was built in the Wittenberge plant in Pruisia (now Germany I think). There are no records of the production, however there are a couple of lists to --be found with Google-- with serial numbers and dates but I don't know if they are correct. A Singer 15-91 has a potted motor. But I have NEVER seen a potted motor in Europe. Maybe the potted motor was an American update??? I also have never seen a travel case with drawers. So all in all a very interesting machine. I dont know where you're located but in the US a 15-91 is not a rare machine, but a Wittenberge machine is. In Europe a 15-91 is rare, but a Wittenberge machine is not. I hope this answers your question. Have a great day!

[@dyslexiaDIY]

Trying to look up H1113176. The machine has pheasants painted on it. The cabinet has three drawers on each side.

[@erikneek]

Hi, could it be a Singer model 27? (built in 1907)

[@dyslexiaDIY]

@@erikneek thank you

[@marknush7206]

My wife's grandmother has four we inherited with her house. One doesn't have the serial number plate on the front, side or back. But there is a number stamped on the cast iron on the bottom. Is there a chance this may be the serial number? Thank you.

[@erikneek]

Hi Mark, First of all: I'm sorry for your loss. Most older Singer sewing machines (1900's-1950's) have the serial number ON the bed. The later models have the serial number UNDER the bed. That number should start with a single or double letter prefix and then... 6 numbers I think. ([Note: EVERY part on the machine has a number too. So if it says 'Simanco' + number: that is a part number and NOT a serial number.]) When you've found the serial number you can search for the manufacturing date at ISMACS.net or download the Singer Serial Number app on you smartphone. Good luck!

[@vincentpotter5721]

I’m just trying to figure out how old a stand I have is it has 37 stamped on one side leg and 25 on the other leg

[@erikneek]

Hi Vincent. To be honest, I've never 'absorbed' any info on the stands. Many other enthusiasts know an awful lot about the stands :-) Unfortunately I cannot help you, but you might find someone who does at the Facebook group 'Vintage & Antique Singer Machines & Products'. Good luck!!!

[@vincentpotter5721]

@@erikneek I was just curious they are very well made for their time

[@erikneek]

@@vincentpotter5721 You're right, Singer was an excellent manuf. of almost everything related to their sewing machines. There is an old film on KZbin worth watching: Birth of a sewing machine. An hour long, but its worth it ;-)

[@Michelle-fw9kz]

Would you be able to share the link for the website/app? I'm trying to look up my grandmother's machine

[@erikneek]

Visit ismacs.net or the SingerSerialDB-app on your phone. Or just google. It’s easy to find.

[@taramullen8424]

Hi Erik, I'm hoping you can help me. I have what i thought was a singer machine. The table is singer the machine looks like singer but has "Peach" written on it. I have the original instruction book and accessories too. They all look like Singer. The serial number is P91890 (pn?) or could be (pd) ive looked online but can't find anything like it. I did find a made in Japan mark. I know its at least 50 years old, because of who I got it from. Any advice appreciated.

[@erikneek]

Hi Tara, thank you for your message. All Singer sewing machines have the oval badge on the arch (on your right) and 'The Singer Manufacturing co' written on the top of the arch. All of them. Singer machines are widely copied, especially the earlier models like the model 12. After WWII Japanese factories started to copy Singer sewing machines too, like the Singer model 15. 'Looking like a Singer' does not mean it is a Singer, unfortunately. I hope this helps you. If you want to ask this question to someone else, you might want to post a message on a Vintage Singer Sewing Machine group on FB. There are multiple groups on different sewing machines. Good luck!

[@taramullen8424]

@@erikneek Thanks Erik. I did try looking online but found absolutely nothing from the peach sewing company, odd that its on a singer table though.

[@erikneek]

@@taramullen8424 Hi Tara. So sorry for you to hear you couldn't find any info on the Peach sewing machine. Have you tried FB? It's quite common to find a non-singer in a Singer table (or cabinet).

[@judymessenger2425]

Does anyone know how to find the model number on my old 1921 66-1? There is a 16 on the bottom of the casting.

[@erikneek]

Hi Judy. The model number of an old Singer 66 is not on the casting, but the serial number is (on the bed, near the pillar). [[ btw, most Singer machines for domestic use only have a badge on the machine since the late 1950's]] Does this answer your question? Enjoy your model 66!

[@dherder9897]

After downloading the Singer serial number app and when I start to put in the number it says Montreal. By the end of the serial number Montreal disappears. I watched your video about locations K is United Kingdom! Which one is accurate??

[@erikneek]

Hi, thank you for your message. Sometimes the app (and ISMACS.net site) is not accurate, unfortunately. The letter K in the MODEL number [like a 319K] indicates it was build in Kilbowie (UK). (To make it more complicated: The letter K at the beginning of the SERIAL number (!) is linked to the Elisabethport factory in NJ.) I hope this answers your question.

[@lubnasalman618]

15kSV is my singer machine model pleased tell me in which year it is made!....thanks

[@erikneek]

Hello Lubna, Most machines can be dated by using the serial number. You provided the model number which cannot tell you anything about the date it was produced. Do you have a serialnumber? Your Singer 15 was built in Kilbowie, Scotland. (15K) The SV stands for Special Variety. Which means it was built to special requirements of the buyer. Or in other words: It was custom built. All the best and take care, Erik

[@oxr.q]

Hello, I have a singer 298 and I really can't find its serial number, can you help?

[@erikneek]

Hi! Have you looked underneath the bed? Most serial numbers start with one or two letters and then a number. Good luck!

[@oxr.q]

@@erikneek Thx

[@akabkruzsojudyoneill1968]

Can you help me ! Just googling my singer machine ! I can’t find the machines model no on the web page you suggested! It’s made in Italy ‘ no starts with MB

[@erikneek]

Hi! Monza is one of those factories where records have not survived. So unfortunately you cannot search on the serial number for the Monza factories (and a few others). The plant opened in 1934, so every MB-serial number dates past 1934. However, there are some lists online with expected production dates for Monza. They are hard to find but you might be lucky. Good luck

[@akabkruzsojudyoneill1968]

You see it in the corner in my video ! It’s got other products on it ! But I could send you a few pics! I need help ?? Please

[@akabkruzsojudyoneill1968]

@@erikneek do you emaile contact ??

[@erikneek]

@@akabkruzsojudyoneill1968 Hi Judy. I don't think that the first numbers of the SN are the manufacturing year of the Monza plant. I highly doubt that! You can contact me via FaceBook - My name is identical on FB: Erik Neek. You can Massage me via FB Messenger. If you're on Facebook: You might consider joining a fb group on vintage sewing machines. There are a lot of people with a lot of knowledge ;-)

[@robynnedorion3900]

I just bought a. Vintage hand crank that was brought here from Africa. The serial # starts with a Y

[@erikneek]

Congratulation on your machine. The Y-series serialnumber is relative early. They were made in Clydebank, Scotland.

[@judylee2556]

What year was singer AG673603 made?

[@erikneek]

Do you really want me to look it up? Here you go: April 1946 Singer model 66 made in Elisabethport NJ

[@cherylmaumill6453]

Eric, i have a cabinet style singer with the number Y9061848, i would like to know what year & where it was made please??

[@erikneek]

That should be a model 66, 1933 in the kilbowie factory in clydebank Scotland

[@cherylmaumill6453]

@@erikneek many thanks..

[@cherylmaumill6453]

@@erikneek do you know what sort of needle is required for this machine please?

[@erikneek]

You can use the standard needle (15x1 aka 2020 aka 130/705H) and use only the class 66 bobbins! @@cherylmaumill6453

[@cherylmaumill6453]

@@erikneek thank you once again, also for the great video & information 😊

[@annavolger2723]

Good evening from Johannesburg Erik. Just saw your video today when researching my sewing machine. I think it is very unusual as the wooden case it is in is not a round dome but rather like a very tall coffin tappered at the top. with serial number on plate P212016. I am 75 years old and not that good with the social media. Can you help please with dating.

[@lucecita007]

Which name it is the app? Please?

[@erikneek]

Singer serial DB

[@rogerberger4207]

I have a old singer sowing machine with the serial number r316835 what's it worth

[@erikneek]

That should be a Singer model 28k, made in 1902 in the Kilbowie plant. The value is hard to say because prices are different all over the world. In my area a good running 28 can be worth between 5 and 35 euros. Some offer them for free. The Singer 28k is a nice machine. Enjoy it! Cheers, Erik

[@mikedick5726]

cant find number on my featherweight 221

[@erikneek]

Most Singer sewing machines had the serial number on top of the bed - Later In the 50's/60's it was replaced to the bottom/ underneath the bed. The Singer Featherweight was the early exception: They have the serial number on the bottom/ underneath the bed on a rectangular plate. Good luck (and have a nice Xmas!), Erik

[@user-pw9tf7bd3p]

What is app name

[@erikneek]

Singer serial database