For Singer, the number one selling point for the Featherweight was its portability with the lightweight design of the machine unique and desirable. For the Singer Featherweight to truly be portable, however, it also had to have a lightweight and compact case - one that would hold the machine, controller and all the accessories. The Singer Featherweight case is distinctive, and a component that unquestionably sets the machine apart from others Singer made. In this article, we will analyze the different Featherweight case styles and the various components throughout their years of manufacture.
Some of the most unique cases for the black Featherweights were the very first ones. On the outside you will notice the small brass latches, clasps and hinges. These were not quite a strong as the later style, but they still locked and kept the machine somewhat secure.
Upon opening the case you will be greeted by the distinct green interior and "hanger bracket." That bracket is designed to press on the cover plate and hold the machine in place during transport. It was a good thought by Singer, but it was soon removed we assume because it was often broke off, and it left marks on the cover plate.
The second case that Singer made is somewhat similar to the previous one, but it is still quite a different case. On the exterior it has the same latches and handles, but if you compare this case to the previous one you can see that it is about 3/4" shorter.
On the inside the case has the green lining like the previous case, but the top tray is enclosed and organized much differently. There is also no hanger bracket.
With Singer's third Featherweight case, they used a new style of latches that were much more sturdy than the previous ones. The interior is no longer green but the common black color lining.
This case style is very similar to the last one with the only update being the handle which is more sturdy than its predecessors.
This was the first Featherweight case Singer made with the metal side tray. Because there is no top tray, these cases are shorter, but a little bit wider. On the inside of the case there is a new bracket to hold the foot controllers in the lid of the case.
With this case there were a couple different handles. The slightly earlier style has grooves, and the later style is smooth.
The final US Featherweight case had a different style foot controller bracket and a new style of clasps.
The cases for the black Featherweights made in the UK were similar to the US ones, but still different in quite a few ways. Below is a list showing the black UK Featherweight cases in order of when they were produced.
The first case issued for the UK made Featherweights was just like case IV in the US on the outside, but the interior was slightly different because Singer was using a different oil can in the UK.
This was the last UK Featherweight case that included a top tray. At this point in time the Featherweight cases for the US Featherweights had already started using the side tray. On this case Singer updated the handle to a bakelite one, and they added a new style case latch.
This was also the first case that Singer used for the 222K Featherweight. Because the 222 is a taller machine and would hit the top tray, Singer removed and did not include the tray when they used these cases with the 222.
This case was used for both the 221K and 222K during its production time. It has a side tray instead of a top tray, and it also has the added foot controller bracket in the lid.
In approximately 1958 Singer quit using the metal side trays, and switched to a red plastic tray mounted on a bracket.
The final case for the black 221K and 222K machines is similar to the one prior, but the handle and has been updated and screws into the lid of the case.
When Singer started producing the Featherweights in different colors, they had to change the case colors as well. The cases for the White and Tan Featherweights were much different than the black ones. The handle for the Tan Featherweight cases was identical to the last black on in shape, but it was a dark brown color. Singer used a much different style latch system with these cases, and the tan cases do not lock like most other cases. The interior had the same features as a side tray black case, but everything was of course a tan color.
In the US Singer had two different white Featherweight cases. One had a fabric type covering and a handle held in by pins. The case also locked.
The second US White Featherweight case had a paper type covering and the handle molded to a shape that would fit into the brackets. This case did not lock like the previous one.
The most unique Featherweight cases were the ones produced for the White Featherweights marketed in Canada. The cases were a smaller and not a hard wood case like the others. They are a vinyl type material and most common in blue, but they have also been seen in turquoise and red.
The interior color of the blue cases was either gray or cream.
The cases sold with the White Featherweights in the EU are quite possible the cutest cases Singer made with a pretty blue color exterior and a violet "Houndstooth" interior.
Above are the photos of the standard cases, but there are other interesting cases and case components that are quite unique.
In about 1937 Singer started adding a corduroy insert to the lid of a select few Featherweight cases. There were two styles of the corduroy insert, and they both were only seen in the type III Featherweight case. Both inserts are very rare and add value to the machine and case.
There were also some different latch styles on the Featherweight cases. These odd latches may call into question the originality of a case, but we have observed them a few times. We suspect it was something that the case manufacturers used if they ran out of the normal case latches for a period of time.
Because of the various latches that were used for the Featherweight cases, there were also several different keys. Below is a photo of the keys for the more common Featherweight latches.
On the left we have the key for the type I and II latches, next is the key for the type III, IV, V and VI latches, following that is the key for the 221K and 222K case latches starting in about 1950, to the right of that key is the key for the white and green White Featherweight cases with the fabric covering, and to the right of that key is the oddly shaped key for some of the vinyl Canadian White Featherweight cases.
Where were the cases made?
The cases that were made for the Featherweight, were most often not marked with the location of where they were made, but there are some clues as to these cases origins.
Below is a photo of the cardboard insert in the bottom of a Featherweight case. Marked on it is "South Bend, Indiana." Singer produced much of their earlier cabinets and cases in South Bend which at one point in time was the largest cabinet factory in the world.
South Bend ceased making cases after the war, so it is unknown where many of the later Featherweight cases were manufactured. The only clue that we have to the production of later cases is the stamp located on the bottom of the type "VI" cases.
The case is one of the most important and distinctive elements of the Featherweight. This post should enlighten you on the many variations and changes made throughout the years.