Hi if you go to the singer web site or just google the name of the model you will find a web page that gives all the numbers and the approximate year they were made. Sometimes it is a range. I did that with my featherweight!!Ypu can even call Singer and they will date the machine for you.

I have one too. as a dust collector, the 1905 sounds about right,they are nice to look at. As already posted be careful about finish and scroll work they react poorly to harsh chemicals.

Sorry I missed all the other replys!!
It looks to be a beauty and I know I love my featherweight it sews like a spitfire!!

She's pretty!!!

That is beautiful! I would NOT have passed it up, either...working or not. I was going to ask if that was off of treadle or part of a treadle, but I see it was. That is awesome. Someday, you may find a lonely cabinet and get it working. A lot of old treadles were converted to electric, so you could put a motor on it.
I would love it just as a decoration, too, though.
I have one in the cabinet that looks very much like this one. Mine is a 1908 and also from NJ.
Mine was stuck, and my DH broke something trying to free it. I would love to try to get mine fixed.

I just got one over the weekend that is between 1955-57. It's electric. I'm going to post a thread with pictures in just a bit. It's great!

My mom has my grandmothers treadle converted to electric and wants me to have it, I will have to get it and date it then. I wish she hadn't converted it as it is the one I remember learning to sew on as a child. I also have a Standard treadle machine that does work. Just need to get the new belt on it. They sure were pretty machines.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...59435511RtcUaN

This is just like the one I have 1889 is what this one says it is.

Yes, I agree. I think they are very pretty.
The treadle I have belonged to Mom. She gave it to me a few years ago. I remember playing with that thing when I was a little girl to see how fast I could get it going. OH! How that hurts when your fingers slip and they get under that thing! My kids have been messing with it. I've told them...

You can find a Singer group on yahoo that is terrific for answering any and all questions. They have a wealth of knowledge.

You can look up the site for Singer @ http://www.singersewingmachine.com/manfacturer.htm

The serial number you have B 122.4842 was manfactured in 1904

Machines with #'s B-1 to B-791.500 were all made in 1904
B-791.501 to B-1.544.750 were made in 1095

There is also a site for the Featherweights http://www.221parts.com/forsale.htm

Hope that helps. I found the site when I won a Featherweight and wanted some other feet.

My DH found one similar to yours a few months ago in an Amish store and was so excited he called me at home to tell me about it. He really wanted to buy it, but I think the price was $40 and we just didn't have an extra $40 then. He took a pic of it with his phone though, which is why I'm so certain it was very much like the one you bought. I would have loved to have had it, but honestly, I think my DH was more disappointed than I was that he couldn't buy it.