Are Some 221 Featherweights Better Than Others?

A common question we receive here in the shop is, "Are some Featherweights better than others?"  It is a great question and one that we are always verbose to answer!  While a Featherweight is a Featherweight is a Featherweight, there were many changes, often subtle, that are interesting to note and can affect the decision-making process when getting ready to buy.  This comparison guide will display what distinguishes certain 221 models from others, so it will be easier to determine what Featherweight will be best for you.  

AD Series 1933-1935:

The "AD" series Featherweights spanned from 1933 into 1935, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 53,044 Featherweights were produced with the serial number prefix of "AD."  As with most collectible items, the earlier productions are of greater value and desirability, with condition-grade and originality ultimately affecting the market price.  Because the Featherweight was quite young in its production during the mid-1930s, Singer was still fine-tuning mechanical parts and cosmetic appearances (see the Historical Timeline for detailed changes).  So, if you need replacement parts for the earliest Featherweights, they can be much harder to source and are sometimes even non-existent. 

1933-1934 AD541546-791845:

Pros:

• Depending on how early, the original patina and condition, machine can be worth 2 to 100 times more than the average Featherweight
  
  
• Scrolled Faceplate adding to the attractiveness of the machine 
  
  
• Ornate Decals

• Chrome Handwheel to preserve the condition of the surface
  
  
• Top Tray Case 
  
  
• If well maintained, the early machines often run very smooth, due to continued use for 80+ years

Cons:

• Replacement parts for the case, foot controller, hook assembly and bobbin winder tension unit can be very difficult and expensive to find.  
  
  
• The non-numbered Tension Unit can make it harder to gauge your tension setting.
  
  
• The Leather Case Handles can be brittle and susceptible to falling apart.  
  
  
• 1st Style hook assembly makes thread jams more difficult to fix

1935 AD880156-AD999999

Pros:

• Scrolled Faceplate adding to the attractiveness of the machine 
  
  
• Ornate Decals

• Chrome Handwheel to preserve the condition of the surface
  
  
• Top Tray Case 
  
  
• Often running very smooth due to continued use for 80+ years

Cons:

• Replacement parts for the foot controller and bobbin winder tension unit can be very difficult and expensive to find.  
  
  
• The non-numbered Tension Unit can make it harder to gauge your tension setting.
  
  
• The Leather Case Handles can be brittle and susceptible to falling apart.
  
  

AE Series 1935-1938:

The "AE" series Featherweights spanned from 1935 into 1938, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 132,000 Featherweights were produced with the serial number prefix of "AE."  

1935 AE000001-AE222615

Pros:

• Scrolled Faceplate adding to the attractiveness of the machine
  
  
• Ornate Decals

• Chrome Handwheel to preserve the condition of the surface
  
  
• Top Tray Case
  
  
• Can now be used in the Featherweight table because the school bell bobbin winder tension unit will not get caught.  

Cons:

• Replacement parts for the foot controller can be very difficult and expensive to find.
  
  
• The non-numbered Tension Unit can make it harder to gauge your tension setting.
  
  
• The Leather Case Handles can be brittle and susceptible to falling apart.
  

1936-1937 AE294041-AE556640

Pros:

• Scrolled Faceplate adding to the attractiveness of the machine
  
  
• Ornate Decals

• Chrome Handwheel to preserve the condition of the handhweel surface
  
  
• Top Tray Case
  
  
• The common Bakelite foot controller has been issued, so parts for these controllers are easier to find.

Cons:

• The non-numbered Tension Unit can make it harder to gauge your tension setting.
  
  
• The Leather Case Handles can be brittle and susceptible to falling apart.

1937-1938 AE770591-AE993540

 

Pros:

• Scrolled Faceplate adding to the attractiveness of the machine
  
  
• Ornate Decals

• Chrome Handwheel to preserve the condition of the handwheel surface
  
  
• Top Tray Case
  
  
• The Featherweight has now been fitted with a numbered tension unit which makes adjusting tension easier to gauge.  

Cons:

• The Leather Case Handles can be brittle and susceptible to falling apart.
  

AF Series 1938-1941:

The "AF" series Featherweights spanned from 1938 into 1941, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 166,749 Featherweights were produced with the serial number prefix of "AF."  

1938-1940 AF070706-AF497180:

Pros:

• Scrolled Faceplate adding to the attractiveness of the machine
  
  
• Ornate Decals

• Chrome Handwheel to preserve the condition of the handwheel surface
  
  
• Top Tray Case

Cons:

• The Leather Case Handles can be brittle and susceptible to falling apart.

1940-1941 AF571881-AF942450:

Pros:

• Scrolled Faceplate adding to the attractiveness of the machine
  
  
• Ornate Decals

• Chrome Handwheel to preserve the condition of the surface
  
  
• Top Tray Case
  
  
• The Featherweights are now fitted with Black Stitch Length Indicators making them easier to read.

Cons:

• The Leather Case Handles can be brittle and susceptible to falling apart.

1941 AF998251-AF999999:

Pros:

• Top Tray Case
  
• Scrolled Faceplate adding to the attractiveness of the machine
  
  
• Ornate Decals

Cons:

• Starting in about this period Singer started using black painted handwheels on the Featherweights; the only downside to this is that the painted handwheels are prone to paint chipping.   
  
  
• The Leather Case Handles can be brittle and susceptible to falling apart.
  
  
• Replacement parts for the newer metal foot controller can be very difficult and expensive to find.

AG Series 1941-1947:

The "AG" series Featherweights spanned from 1941 into 1947, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 148,250 Featherweights were produced with the serial number prefix of "AG."    It is worth noting that no Featherweights were produced from 1942-1944 because the factories were contributing to the war effort.   

1941-1946 AG000001-AG709390:

Pros:

• Scrolled Faceplate adding to the attractiveness of the machine
  
  
• Ornate Decals

• Top Tray Case

Cons:

• The Leather Case Handles can be brittle and susceptible to falling apart.
  
  
• Replacement parts for the foot controller can be very difficult and expensive to find.

1946-1947 AG804771-AG990945:

Pros:

• Scrolled Faceplate adding to the attractiveness of the machine
  
  
• Ornate Decals

• Top Tray Case
  
  
• The new style leather handles are stronger than the previous style.
  
  
• The previous metal foot controller has been changed to the common Bakelite style.

AH Series 1947-1948:

  The "AH" series Featherweights spanned from 1947 into 1948, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 246,079 Featherweights were produced with the serial number prefix of "AH."  You will find that as from about 1948 to 1950 there were not many changes made, and our "pros and cons" section is rather small.

1947 AH050371-AH131970

Pros:

• Scrolled Faceplate adding to the attractiveness of the machine
  
  
• Ornate Decals
  
• Top Tray Case

1947-1948 AH193771-AH580920

Pros: 

• Ornate Decals
  
  
• Top Tray Case

Cons:

• Strictly cosmetic, but might be something to consider for those specifically looking for that ornate faceplate.  Going forward from this time period, US Featherweights were fitted with striated faceplates rather than the decorative scrolled faceplate.

1948 AH640321-AH999999:

Pros:

• Ornate Decals
  
  
• Top Tray Case
  
  
• The Featherweight motor has been updated, and they often run stronger than the previous series.  

AJ Series 1948-1950:

The "AJ" series Featherweights spanned from 1948 into 1950, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 303,920 Featherweights were produced with the serial number prefix of "AJ."   

1948-1950 AJ000001-AJ821320

Pros: 

• Ornate Decals
  

• Top Tray Case

1950 AJ887721-AJ937720

Pros:

• Ornate Decals
  
• The Centennial badge has now been put on the Featherweights through 1951; it increases both the desirability and adds a little bit of value to the machine.
  
  
• A Bakelite handle has replaced the leather handle on the Featherweight case making the case more sturdy. 

Cons:

• At about this time Singer changed the case style to include a side tray instead of the larger more practical top tray.    

AK Series 1951-1952:

The "AK" series Featherweights spanned from 1951 into 1952, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 215,124 Featherweights were produced with the serial number prefix of "AK."   

1951 AK071321-AK626775:

Pros:

• Ornate Decals
  
• The Centennial badge increases both the desirability and adds a little bit of value to the machine.
  
  

1952 AK745676-AK999999:

Singer's high quality standard of all previous Featherweight years continued and from 1952 through 1961, Featherweight manufacturing maintained a good, solid, and reliable machine.  Singer had mastered and fine-tuned the details, and as such there really aren't any pros or cons that are significant with this era.  Collectibility would be based on personal preference with style, cosmetic condition, etc.

AL Series 1952-1955

 The "AL" series Featherweights spanned from 1952 into 1955, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 284,875 Featherweights were produced with the serial number prefix of "AL."  

1952-1953 AL000001-AL560000 approx:

Pros:

• Ornate Decals
  
  
• The Featherweights are now fitted with a graduated throat plate to easily gauge where to sew the seam.  

1953-1955 AL560000-AL950890

Some may see this as a "pro" and others a "con", but part way through the second run of 1953, the decals on the Featherweight changed to the "Paperclip" art-deco style.  These are now the standard decals through the end of production on the black Featherweights.  Nothing really changed mechanically, but the update in the decal style is worth noting.

Pros:

• Graduated Throat Plate
  
  

AM Series 1955-1957

  The "AM" series Featherweights spanned from 1955 into 1957, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 200,000 Featherweights were produced with the serial number prefix of "AM."  Singer didn't make any changes to or in this series that affected the mechanics or the aesthetics, so they are virtually identical to the previous run in the "AL" series.

 Pros:

• Graduated Throat Plate

221K and 221J Featherweights

Featherweights that were made in the UK (assigned a 'K' after the model - 221K) and Canada (assigned a 'J' after the model - 221J) look generally the same as the US Featherweights, but there are differences, some for better and some for worse. 

EE Series 1947-1948

The "EE" series Featherweights spanned from 1947 through 1948, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 22,000 Featherweights were produced with the serial number prefix of "EE."  

Pros:

• Scrolled Faceplate adding to the attractiveness of the machine
  
  
• Top Tray Case

Cons:

• The UK made Featherweights fitted with Bakelite motors.  They run well, but the housings are often brittle, and replacement parts are very hard to find.

EF Series 1949-1950

The "EF" series Featherweights spanned from 1949 into 1950, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 60,000 Featherweights were produced with the serial number prefix of "EF."

 

Pros:

• Scrolled Faceplate adding to the attractiveness of the machine
  
  
• Top Tray Case

EG Series 1950-1951

The "EG" series Featherweights spanned from 1950 into 1951, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 71,000 Featherweights were produced with the serial number prefix of "EG".

Pros:

• Scrolled Faceplate adding to the attractiveness of the machine
  
  
• Top Tray Case
  
  
• In 1951 these "EG" Featherweights came with the collectible Centennial badge.  
  
  
• The light switch is moved to the light housing making it easier to replace certain electrical components.  
  
  
• The slightly stronger Bakelite handle is now used on the case.

Cons:

• From 1951 through the end of the Black Featherweight production the Bakelite terminals and plugs changed from the round pin to the flat prong style.  Having a flat-pin terminal receptacle makes things a little bit difficult if you have other Featherweights with the round pin connections.  The foot controller plugs are not interchangeable.  

 
EH Series 1951-1953

The "EH" series Featherweights spanned from 1951 into 1953, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 60,000 Featherweights were produced with the serial number prefix of "EH".

1951-1952 EH001027-635777

Pros: 

• Top Tray Case

Cons:

• Strictly cosmetic, but might be something to consider for those specifically looking for that ornate faceplate.  Going forward from this time period, 221K Featherweights were fitted with striated faceplates rather than the decorative scrolled faceplate.

1953 EH890433-900432

 

Pros:

• The 221K Featherweights are now fitted with a Graduated Throat Plate to easily gauge where to sew the seam.  

Cons:

• The 221K machines are now suited with a side-tray case (and no longer have the roomier top tray).

EJ Series 1953 EJ211989-216988

The "EJ" series Featherweights were commissioned in 1953, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 5,000 Featherweights were produced with the serial number prefix of "EJ."  It is worth noting that there were no 221K Featherweights produced in 1954.  At this point, 221K Featherweight manufacturing remained the same until 1959.  

Pros:  

• Graduated Throat Plate

Some may see this as a "pro and others a con", but partway through 1953 the decals on the Featherweight 221K machines changed to the "Paperclip" art-deco style.  These are now the standard decals through the end of production on the black Featherweights.

EK, EL, EM, EN, EP Series 1955-1959 

These series of Featherweights were commissioned from 1955-1959, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 37,000 221K Featherweights were produced.  Singer did not make any significant changes to the machines during this time period, so I have shown them all here together. 

Pros:

• Graduated Throat Plate

ES and ET Series 1960-1961

The "ES" and "ET" series Featherweights were commissioned in 1960-1961, and gauging from the commission date chart, a total of 45,000 Featherweights were produced with those serial number prefixes.  At this point Singer also started producing the Tan Featherweights. The 221K Tan Featherweights were often produced in the same runs as the black Featherweights during this time period, so both will be shown here.  Because Singer did not segregate the two machines and their serial numbers, we do not know how many Tan Featherweight 221K models are in existence.   

1960-1961 Black Featherweight 221K 

Pros:

• Red "S" badge makes these machines a little bit more valuable than their predecessors. 
  
  
• Graduated Throat Plate
  
  

1960-1961 Tan Featherweight 221K

Pros:

• The Tan Featherweight, especially one that has all paint intact and a good condition carrying case, are highly sought after.  Depending on the market, will add double value to an average black Featherweight. 
   
• Graduated Throat Plate

Cons:

• The paint on Tan Featherweights is more prone to nicks, chips and discoloration because there is no protective clear coat.  
  
  
• Due to limited number, replacement parts can be very hard to find and quite expensive.  
  
  
• Refurbishing case to look nice is not as easy as doing so for the black Featherweight. 

Tan Featherweight 221J 1960-1962

During this time period Singer started producing components of the Tan Featherweights in Canada. These Tan Featherweights are badged as 221J machines signifying the St. Johns factory in Quebec.  Unfortunately, the records of Tan Featherweight serial numbers are nearly non-existent.  They were either poorly kept and / or destroyed when factories closed, so this chart is as extensive to tan Featherweight history as you will find.  Historians have concluded that it is impossible to know exactly how many Tan Featherweight 221J models were manufactured in Canada.   

EV, EY and FA series 221K White Featherweights 1963-1970

The White Featherweights were commissioned from about 1963-1970.  Unfortunately, the records of White Featherweight serial numbers are nearly non-existent.  They were either poorly kept and / or destroyed when factories closed, so this chart is as extensive to white Featherweight history as you will find.  Thus, it is impossible to know for certain how many white Featherweights were produced, but we have estimated about 150,000.  During this time period, and with foreign competition on the rise, Singer streamlined manufacturing, making the Featherweight slightly more compact.  In so doing, lower quality details were the result.  

Pros:

• Graduated Throat Plate
• Thread Cutter Built-in to Presser Bar
• Some sase styles are unique in color and design, but some are extremely scarce to find. 
• In pristine condition, white Featherweights sold in some markets have brought 2 to 3 times more than the average black Featherweight.  

Cons: 

• The cord is hard-wired into the machine, so it can not be removed.  This can be cumbersome for storing in the case.
  
  
• There is not a protective clear coat, so the paint is prone to chipping (and more noticeable because of the contrast of white to metal). 
  
  
• The original white exterior belts are brittle and often falling apart.  (White belts are not currently available.  A lugged or black Featherweight belt, whatever you prefer and operates the motor at optimum speed, is what we recommend for replacement.)
  
  
• The machine has an interior belt and is therefore considered belt-driven rather than gear-driven (black and tan Featherweights are gear-driven). The internal drive belt has the potential to break down or lose elasticity, which could greatly affect stitch formation.  While this occurrence is quite rare, we have seen it happen, so be mindful if looking at a worn out internal belt. 
  
  
• The flip-up bed is fastened with pins, so it cannot be tightened.  This makes bed removal extremely difficult if it needs to be replaced.
• Due to limited number, replacement parts can be very hard to find and quite expensive.  
• Cases are generally considered fragile because they were not constructed as sturdy or with as durable an exterior as black Featherweight cases.  Only one green case handle style is replaceable  whereas the other is not.  Refurbishing one to look nice is not as easy as doing so for the black Featherweight. 

(Click image above for the Parts Link to PDF chart)

Are some Featherweights better than others?

Mechanically, all black and tan Featherweights are the same, so there is not a certain series or year that always works better than others.  There are many unknowns in the machine's history that can affect how it runs today, so if buying local, it is a great idea to test a machine before you buy it.  Otherwise, if buying online, know your source!  When purchasing a Featherweight there are a couple things that should be checked right away and can quickly make or break the sale:

• Make sure that the machine has its original bobbin case.
• Check to ensure that a foot controller is included so you can test the machine.
• Review the Troubleshooting Stitch Formation video tutorial to learn the easy things to look for in testing. 

Both an original bobbin case as well as an original foot controller are parts that can be costly to replace and can certainly turn what appears to be a good deal into a high priced machine.  

Whether it is a car, a house or a Featherweight there are almost always components that are different with each model or series.  If you are looking at purchasing a Featherweight and can't decide which year to search for, this comparison guide should help break down the benefits of each one.  Let us know in the comments below what you think or if you have any other details to add for any particular year.