The NeedleBar Guide to
Identifying Singer VS Machines
by Chrys Gunther
Note on Singer model numbers:
The first number is the model and the second
is the variety, e.g. 27-1. In the early days Singer made lots of changes to
the machines but kept the same numbers. Later they became more meticulous
about giving it a different variety number.
In the early days the models were also called the VS2 or the VS3. At some point they started to phase out this terminology.
Machines made at the Singer factory in Kilbowie, Scotland have a K in the model number. Usually these models are the same as the American models, e.g. 128-3 and 128K3. There are several exceptions to this regarding the 27 and 28 which are noted below in the chart.
Note regarding machine sizes:
Models 27 and 127 are full size machines with
a bed length of 14 5/8 inches long.
Models 28 and 128 are ¾ size machines with a bed length of 12 ¼
inches long.
VS1 1884 - 1886
Model |
Dates |
Notes |
Type |
Wheel |
Shuttle (obsolete) |
Shuttle Carrier |
Take-up Cam Cover |
Bobbin Winder |
Tension |
Rear Plate Shape |
Thumbnail (click for larger image) |
VS1 |
1884 - 86 |
Fiddlebed. Decals on faceplate. Early version has face and tension configuration like Model 12 |
Treadle |
Spoked |
No Eject |
No Access |
On Faceplate. No Release |
 |
VS2/27 (1886 - 1913)
(square bed made from 1889 - 1913)
Model |
Dates |
Notes |
Type |
Wheel |
Shuttle
(obsolete) |
Shuttle
Carrier |
Take-up
Cam Cover |
Bobbin
Winder |
Tension |
Rear
Plate Shape |
Thumbnail
(click for larger image) |
27-1 |
1886 - 1894 |
fiddlebed,
decals on faceplate, later nickel faceplate |
treadle |
spoked |
yes |
low |
 |
||||
27-2 |
square bed,
nickel faceplate |
treadle |
spoked |
yes |
low |
 |
|||||
27-3 |
square bed,
nickel faceplate |
treadle |
spoked |
yes |
low |
 |
|||||
27-4 |
hand version
of 27-3 |
handcrank |
spoked |
yes |
low |
 |
NOTE: about
1900 when some of the earlier 27 model variations had been declared obsolete,
Kilbowie continued to use the
same model numbers for the following varieties:
Model |
Dates |
Notes |
Type |
Wheel |
Shuttle |
Shuttle
Carrier |
Take-up
Cam Cover |
Bobbin
Winder |
Tension |
Rear
Plate Shape |
Thumbnail
(click for larger image) |
27K1 |
plain decals,
steel parts polished |
treadle |
spoked |
yes |
low |
||||||
27K2 |
hand version
of 27K1 |
handcrank |
spoked |
yes |
low |
 |
|||||
27K3 |
steel parts
nickel plated |
treadle |
spoked |
yes |
low |
||||||
27K4 |
hand version
of 27K3 |
handcrank |
spoked |
yes |
low |
Model |
Dates |
Notes |
Type |
Wheel |
Shuttle |
Shuttle
Carrier |
Take-up
Cam Cover |
Bobbin
Winder |
Tension |
Rear
Plate Shape |
Thumbnail
(click for larger image) |
127-1 |
1912 - 1950s |
- |
treadle |
spoked |
yes |
high |
- | ||||
127-2 |
hand version
of 127-1 |
handcrank |
spoked |
yes |
high |
||||||
127-3 |
- |
treadle |
spoked |
yes |
high |
 |
|||||
127-4 |
hand version
of 127-3 |
handcrank |
spoked |
yes |
high |
 |
|||||
127-12 |
wrinkle
finish |
treadle |
spoked |
no |
high |
 |
|||||
127-13 |
electric
version of 127-3 |
motor |
spoked |
yes |
high |
||||||
127-14 |
hand version
of 127-12 wrinkle |
handcrank |
spoked |
no |
high |
||||||
127-23 |
electric
cabinet version of 127-12 wrinkle |
motor -
cabinet |
solid |
no |
high |
||||||
127-24 |
electric
bentwood version of 127-12 wrinkle |
motor -
bentwood |
solid |
no |
high |
NOTE: the 127-1 differs from the 127-3 in small mechanical changes
VS3/28 1885 - 1912
*exception below
Model |
Dates |
Notes |
Type |
Wheel |
Shuttle
(obsolete) |
Shuttle
Carrier |
Take-up
Cam Cover |
Bobbin
Winder |
Tension |
Rear
Plate Shape |
Thumbnail
(click for larger image) |
28-1 |
very early |
decals on
faceplate, raised ridge on bed |
treadle
or handcrank |
spoked |
yes |
low |
 |
||||
28-1 |
early |
decals on
faceplate & nickel faceplate |
treadle
or handcrank |
spoked |
yes |
low |
 |
||||
28-1 |
later |
- |
treadle |
spoked |
yes |
low |
|||||
28-2 |
hand version
of 28-1 |
handcrank |
spoked |
yes |
low |
 |
|||||
28-3 |
- |
treadle |
spoked |
yes |
low |
||||||
28-4 |
hand version
of 28-3 |
handcrank |
spoked |
yes |
low |
 |
|||||
28-8* |
1912 - 1940s |
budget model
mainly for export |
treadle |
spoked |
yes |
high |
|||||
28-9* |
hand version
of 28-8 |
handcrank |
spoked |
yes |
high |
 |
NOTE: the later 28-1 differs from the 28-3 in slight changes to the arm and bed castings, and small mechanical changes.
NOTE: about 1900 when some of the earlier 28 model variations had been declared obsolete, Kilbowie continued to use the same model numbers for the following varieties:
Model |
Dates |
Notes |
Type |
Wheel |
Shuttle |
Shuttle
Carrier |
Take-up
Cam Cover |
Bobbin
Winder |
Tension |
Rear
Plate Shape |
Thumbnail
(click for larger image) |
28K1 |
plain decals,
steel parts polished |
treadle |
spoked |
yes |
low |
||||||
28K2 |
hand version
of 28K1 |
handcrank |
spoked |
yes |
low |
 |
|||||
28K3 |
steel parts
nickel plated |
treadle |
spoked |
yes |
low |
||||||
28K4 |
hand version
of 28K3 |
handcrank |
spoked |
yes |
low |
Model |
Dates |
Notes |
Type |
Wheel |
Shuttle |
Shuttle
Carrier |
Take-up
Cam Cover |
Bobbin
Winder |
Tension |
Rear
Plate Shape |
Thumbnail
(click for larger image) |
128-3 |
1912 - 1960 |
- |
treadle |
spoked |
yes |
high |
 |
||||
128-4 |
hand version
of 128-3 |
handcrank |
spoked |
yes |
high |
 |
|||||
128-8 |
1938 - 1940s |
wrinkle
finish |
Hexagon
electric |
solid |
54549 |
no eject |
no |
low |
manual |
on front |
 |
128-12 |
1931 - 1950s |
wrinkle
finish |
treadle |
spoked |
no eject |
no |
high |
||||
128-13 |
electric
version of 128-3 |
motor |
spoked |
yes |
high |
 |
|||||
128-14 |
hand version
of 128-12 wrinkle |
handcrank |
spoked |
no eject |
no |
high |
 |
||||
128-18 |
electric
cabinet version of 128-12 wrinkle |
motor -
cabinet |
solid |
no eject |
no |
high |
|||||
128-23 |
electric
bentwood version of 128-12 wrinkle |
motor -
bentwood |
solid |
no eject |
no |
high |
 |