How much is it selling for? Have you plugged it in & turned it on? The machine looks beautiful and so does the cabinet. Did you open the drawer(s) on the cabinet & check if there are any attachments inside?
I have an old Singer 221 Featherweight machine that I LOVE. The Singer 221 may be a similar age (or maybe a little older) than the one you are considering. I have used it for years and made dresses, drapery & other items. It can also handle thick upholstery fabric.

I found a link to a site called "ID Singer Machines". Maybe you can learn more about it on that site.ID Singer Machines

If it's only a straight stitch, I'd pass.

Wonderful machine for quilting--look at that large open harp! Right--it won't have fancy stitches, but will serve you well...AND you CAN get attachments for ZZ, buttonholes, etc. The part should not be too difficult to find. There is a busy forum re vintage machines athttp://quiltingboard.com/main-f1/

Looks a lot like 1 of mine - the workhorse that I use most. Mine is 201-. It is straight stitch & reverse. Straight stitch is about all I need (I also have a serger) since I learned to sew on a Singer Featherweight & industrial machines (industrials didn't even have reverse stitching).

If it's a good price & works, I'd snap it up (looks like it comes w/ a cabinet?) Those are the 1s w/ all metal gears, etc. & as long as you keep them well lubricated & clean, they can run forever, seemingly.

According to the Singer website, it's from 1954 - same as mine. I've had mine for over 20 years now along w/ original cabinet & chair.

http://www.singerco.com/support/machine-serial-numbers/double-letter

& manuals for old machines are available online as well.

Thank you for the comments and info.

The machine, and what appears to be its original cabinet, are for sale at a local thrift shop for $50. I did not plug it in Saturday, but I'm running back to town in the morning to test drive it.

Laurie, I did open the drawers, but they were empty, very clean, but empty. I checked out the ID site and learned this machine was made in 1954. I want a 221/Featherweight myself, but so far I've had no luck in finding an affordable one.

Dancing Girl, I will be checking out that forum. Sadly, the machine has no attachments included except the one pressure foot, the bobbin case, and a bobbin. IF it has a reverse stitch, for tying off quilt patches, and it it runs, I may get it. Afterall, I have "only" three sewing machines - and a serger!

Carol B - Thank you so much for the link and info.

I have a vintage 1951-ish Pfaff 130 machine that came with every attachment known to that machine, plus the original paperwork, receipts, instructions, etc. It came all wrapped up in a Singer art-deco style cabinet, the curvy one with three large curved drawers to the right, and a smaller "pen drawer," complete with the original ink well and bottle, on the right. I should not expect any more "deals," I got the Pfaff and cabinet, for free, from FreeCycle. I did offer the young couple cash for it, but she chimed in "FreeCycle is free," and would not take a penny.

It's a Singer 15-91, a full size machine with a direct drive motor. They are quite sought after, along with model 201. It's a general low shank which means it's the easiest to get accessories for, both vintage and brand new. General 15x1 needles (like most modern machines), class 15 bobbins, easy to find. It's a straight stitcher, sews forwards and backwards, feed dogs can be lowered for freemtion darning/embroidery. The buttonholers for it is exellent, as well as many of the other attachments. $50 is a bargain even with missing accessories. It might need rewiring. It's one of the best vintage Singers ever and it's worth spending time and money on a machine this good looking. I had my old 99 and 201 rewired and I have never regretted it since. It's probably a 1950s machine, perhaps very late 40s. The table /cabinet is very practical with cast iron machines, they are often superb quality. This was not at all a low priced machine when it was bought. It was made to sew every type of clothing material from lightest silk chiffon to heavy denim and wool. Even hard nylon webbing is no problem.