Singer Sewing Machine Serial Numbers

There is often confusion over Singer serial numbers. Despite what you may read elsewhere, in reality there are NO records of the machines ‘actually made’. What there are, is some estimated production figures by year up to 1900, and then after that some 'batch allocation records' for just the factories in Elizabethport and Kilbowie. There is virtually no information at all for any of the many other factories.

Although the batch allocation records after 1900 are an excellent resource as a starting point for further checking, they can't be relied upon and should only be used with caution. Because they have so many errors, and because they result in so much confusion and mis-information, we have chosen not to publish the complete list of these. They are though inluded for certain individual classes of machine, where we have been able to validate them to some extent.

For most machines before the 1950's, the serial number was located on top of the bed at the front right corner. Later models had it stamped on a raised pad underneath the bed, around the edge somewhere.

IMPORTANT NOTE - The machine serial number is NOT stamped on the motor. That is a serial number referring ONLY to the motor itself.

Pre 1900 Serial Numbers

Up until 1900 a simple sequential numbering system (1 up to #16,831,099) was used. There are no factual records at all from this period, just a best estimate of the years when ranges of numbers were probably made. These are though generally regarded as being fairly accurate.

Until 1889 most machines carried 2 numbers adjacent to each other. It is the larger of these numbers that is the relevant serial number. There has been a lot of speculation about the signifinace of the lower number, but in truth nobody knows for certain. What is known, is that the last 2 digits are always the same for both numbers, and that the difference between the 2 numbers was reset each year, but then stayed the same thoughout that year. Checking the differences between the 2 numbers has to a certain extent validated the estimates of annual production figures.

From 1870 to 1900 all machines were made at either Elizabethport or Kilbowie. Because the serial numbers had to be shared between the 2 plants, and because communications by sea would have taken several weeks, they must have used system whereby blocks of numbers were issued to each factory. We are not aware of there being any breakdown of which numbers where allocated to each factory, although this would be an intesting area for further research.

Post 1900 Serial Numbers

For machines made after 1900 (which all have serial numbers starting with one or two letters), what you may often find represented as being serial number data, are just when numbers were pre-allocated in large batches for the purpose of pre-production planning. i.e. so they could order sufficient material in advance, to ensure that if/when they came to make that model of machine, they had enough raw materials and parts of the right type. The serial numbers themselves weren’t actually ‘used’ on machines until months, or even years, after those allocation dates, and sometimes they may not have been used at all. In between pre-production planning and manufacture, the order situation could alter from that originally expected, so there were times when numbers were eventually used, they were on different models than those originally expected. There are therefore many errors in what some people now publish as serial number records.

Although the batch allocation records have their limitations, they are one of the best resources we have, so they are a good starting point, but never to be totally relied upon. You always need to confirm the model yourself by comparing its features. This is easy to do because each class of machine has unique visual features making them easy to identify.

Motor Serial Numbers

Motors had their own sequential serial numbers preceded by the location code letter of the factory where they were made.

Canada (St. John's) and Other Anomolies

Although some local factories like St. John's in Canada had the ability to make complete machines, they often just assembled parts imported from one of the main factories. Whether these were marked as being made in Canada or Scotland, and whether they had St John's or Kilbowie serial numbers wasn't consistent. The presence of a serial number relating to one factory can't be used to say for certain that was where it was actually made. Later it became normal that various parts were sourced from differnet factories that specialised in differnet aspects. Where those machines were really made is very much open to interpretation.