tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8974965123160800517.post2080906392402011881..comments2024-01-13T10:57:47.443-05:00Comments on Dave's Mid Century Stuff: Singer 401A Slant-O-Matic Sewing Machine and Singer #351 Copenhagen Blonde CabinetUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8974965123160800517.post-61994980943726019392021-12-19T16:36:19.302-05:002021-12-19T16:36:19.302-05:00My mom had this desk, The Copahangen in Blonde as ...My mom had this desk, The Copahangen in Blonde as well. Dad gave it to her with a 403 in early '60s, that I learned on. Unfornately, my sister claimed squatter rights and has the set and she doesn't even do real sewing! I now have two 403's in my stable but still looking for the desk up here in eastern PA.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13055228836495951214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8974965123160800517.post-67559828468733195682017-02-09T10:07:42.891-05:002017-02-09T10:07:42.891-05:00I was in a thrift store and a woman wanted to buy ...I was in a thrift store and a woman wanted to buy the machine out of the desk, but didn't want the desk. So lucky me, I took the desk home to my 3 vintage Singers. Love the desk - it is wonderful! I have a 500, 503 and 401. The 401 was in roughest shape, but luckily I have a 96 year-old Singer man in town to help me out with them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8974965123160800517.post-79734783433369431282016-05-04T20:58:45.317-04:002016-05-04T20:58:45.317-04:00Dave, I have had this model sewing machine for 15y...Dave, I have had this model sewing machine for 15yrs. It was my Nanny's. It is in a different cabinet than your pictures are showing. Could she have changed it? Just very curious and want to know its value. <br />Thank you TinaNanny girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02612886713899433913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8974965123160800517.post-54834632549784000962014-08-11T00:37:38.065-04:002014-08-11T00:37:38.065-04:00Hello, your # 401 is circa 1958-60..The reason is ...Hello, your # 401 is circa 1958-60..The reason is that you have the newer tension knob and needle bar thread guide. The 1957 machine debuted mainly for Christmas of 1957 and was not only an engineering feat, but<br />legal drama for the Singer company. Singer sales had dropped significantly after WW2 and was faced with<br />competition from Europe and Japan. Singer was slow to introduce "cutting edge" features. The reverse lever<br />was not available until around 1929- although they did have the first internal gear drive motor in 1926 (#101).<br />Singer compiled engineering components from the Italian firm of Vigorelli and Bernina (internal camstack) and<br />the patent/ legal issues held up the production of the # 401. Finally in 1957 the #401 was put into production..<br />No expense was spared to create the "debut" model..The tension knob, motor and bakelite electrical connections were from the # 301 machine. The internal bearings were oil impregnated bronze and the all <br />screws, metal trim were heavily chrome plated. An ingenius needle bar thread guide only lasted a year or so.<br />Year after year, bits were streamlined or eliminated (decals) in an attempt to make the machine appear more<br />"modern" as 1960 approached.1953childstarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10271813603675994460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8974965123160800517.post-33374916388228359472012-08-06T00:08:04.807-04:002012-08-06T00:08:04.807-04:00I just added to my stable of 11 sewing machines wi...I just added to my stable of 11 sewing machines with a 401a Slantomatic for the big sum of 50 bucks. It is in mint shape and even the finish on the desk is still good - older than me by a couple of years and I think in bettet shape....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8974965123160800517.post-43897865644149781882012-03-07T11:39:35.867-05:002012-03-07T11:39:35.867-05:00My mom was an expert seamstress, and she made most...My mom was an expert seamstress, and she made most of my clothes, including my prom dress, on a Singer just like that one!Dana@Mid2Modhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03055460107477850683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8974965123160800517.post-66046341305419451022012-03-07T09:17:07.449-05:002012-03-07T09:17:07.449-05:00This is great Dave! I own a Singer that I think is...This is great Dave! I own a Singer that I think is from 1939. It was my Nana's. It is in the garage because I don't know how to use it! I need to learn though because Nana said the older model would sew through anything and I need to get some upholstery work done!Katehttp://www.retroranchrevamp.comnoreply@blogger.com