singer 29k171 FA serial numbers

[Prw]

Hi, does anybody have any info on singer 29k171 FA serial numbers, just trying to date a machine and can't find it on the ISMACS serial number data charts. Would anybody know  how many years the baby blue professional models  were made  and is there any difference between the  black 29k71 and the blue 171 ? Better, worse or the same ?

[Constabulary]

The blue color of the "professional" machines - in my opinion - was just marketing but I have no proof. Try to find a parts list of either machine and compare the parts numbers. That way you can find out the difference. But I don´t think there really is a major technical difference.

Can´t help with the mfg year if ISMACS has no records. EX prefix is until 1965 / 66 afaik.  My 29K71 serial # has an EY prefix and when I got the machine I found a stamped date on the gear box from 4 67 (no longer have the gear box as I found a nicer one)  this is very unusual for these machines but I think it is close to the "real" Mfg date. So FA I guess is around late 1960´s

Edited November 28, 2019 by Constabulary

[Prw]

thanks Constabulary for getting back to me, sorry it's taken me so long, just had a few dramas after posting but all good now. Was wanting to date a machine I wanted to buy but ended up finding another one closer (1600 k's away), which I picked up a couple of days ago and was told it was bought new in 1974  (serial FA349437). Be interesting to compare parts as you suggested but I haven't done that yet but now I've got one it doesn't really matter. Can't wait to get some new needles and proper size thread and use it. Also have to spend a few days going through all the old posts on here, so much info. Thanks for your help

[shoepatcher]

Those were the last Singer shoepatchers made at the Kilbowie plant.  Production moved to Japan and the U series after that until about 1985.

glenn

[Prw]

 I didn't realize that, I thought they were making the 29K71 and the blue 29K171 at the same time and thought there must be some sort of difference between them, thanks for that.

[jimi]

Here is a link that you might find interesting Prw.( there are loads of topics on the 29k by the way)