Singer · Straight stitch · 1934–1957 in the US (UK 201K into the 1960s)
The 201 arrived in 1934, and ISMACS says most collectors consider it the best sewing machine Singer ever made. It's strong, very quiet and sews a beautiful straight stitch forward and back, with a rotary hook and a drop-in bobbin. The 201-2 is one of the original 1930s versions, with Singer's P.H. motor potted onto the back of the arm and driving through gears. Its siblings were the 201-1 treadle, the 201-3 belt-motor machine and the 201-4 hand crank, and the 1200-1 was a 201-2 with a knee lifter. Scotland built the 201K, including lighter aluminium bodies in the 1950s. The cast-iron 201-2 weighs about 30 pounds, so think about shipping before you buy one far away.
Under the throat plate
Ask for a photo under the slide plate with the bobbin case in place. A missing bobbin case or the wrong needle system is the most common reason a machine that looks fine won’t sew.
Dry or gummed motor grease is the common fault, and the fibre gear on the handwheel can be damaged. At about 30 pounds of cast iron, it also gets knocked about in shipping.
New to old machines? How to check a used sewing machine walks through the handwheel, the wiring, the bobbin case and a test seam.
Buying guide
We'd buy the 201 titled serviced, with its case and accessories, at $342 delivered from a 99.1% seller, under the $390–1,100 delivered band most complete 201s ask. There are at least 66 for sale, and many are cabinet machines with no shipping quoted or 201Ks from the UK and Australia with $170 to $350 shipping and possibly a 220–240 V motor, so read the motor plate. Ask for a video of the handwheel turned by hand and a seam sewn forward and in reverse, and ask whether the motor grease cups got motor lubricant, never oil. The restored 201-2 from Greece at $2,726 delivered is a restorer's showpiece at more than four times the median.
$342.34est. delivered
The lowest delivered 201 sold as working, and it's titled serviced, with its case and accessories, at $342 delivered. Serial AM204770 puts it in a 1955–59 batch.
Singer 201 Electric Sewing Machine AM204770 SERVICED Case & Accessories
$342.34est. delivered
Titled serviced with the case and accessories, under the band, from a 99.1% seller. Ask what the service covered and how it'll be packed, since a 30 lb cast-iron head gets knocked about in the post.
Singer 201 Electric Sewing Machine AM204770 SERVICED Case & Accessories
$440.00est. delivered
A Centennial 201-2 titled serviced, serial AJ337326, at $440 delivered from a 100% seller. Ask what was done and for a video of it sewing forward and in reverse.
CENTENNIAL EDITION SINGER SEWING MACHINE MODEL 201-2, SERVICED, #AJ337326
$388.82est. delivered
A 201-2 with the Centennial badge, titled tested and working with its case and attachments, at $389 delivered. That's under the band, so you pay no premium for the badge.
Singer 201-2 Centennial Sewing Machine Case Attachments Tested Working
$141.75delivered
Titled untested with heavy wear, at $142 with free shipping, well under any working 201 here. Budget for a clean and fresh motor grease, and check the cords in the photos before you plug it in.
Singer 201-2 Sewing Machine Direct Drive UNTESTED Antique Vintage Heavy Use Wear
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Serviced$342.34est. delivered
$250.00 + $92.34 shipping
Buy It Now$250.00
Good buy
Titled serviced, with case and accessories. Serial AM204770.
Seller: peacefulplacevintage
99.1% positive
Serviced$440.00est. delivered
$400.00 + $40.00 shipping
Buy It Now$400.00
Good buy
Centennial, titled serviced. Serial AJ337326.
Seller: miha32
100% positive
Used$388.82est. delivered
$349.99 + $38.83 shipping
Buy It Now$349.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Centennial, titled tested and working, with case and attachments.
Seller: retrovaultmarket7
100% positive
For parts$141.75delivered
$141.75 · free shipping
Buy It Now$141.75
Project piece
Titled untested with heavy wear. Free shipping.
Seller: dustyatticaddict
99.7% positive
Used$563.34est. delivered
$391.02 + $172.32 shipping
Buy It Now$391.02
Our take
1952 201K head from the UK, $172 shipping. Check the motor voltage; seller at 97.9%.
Seller: zionvintage
97.9% positive
Used$674.88est. delivered
$325.68 + $349.20 shipping
Buy It Now$325.68
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
201K Mk2 from Australia with accessories; shipping is $349. Check the motor voltage.
Seller: iluvintage
100% positive
Serviced$2,725.75est. delivered
$2,488.78 + $236.97 shipping
Buy It Now$2,488.78
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
Restored and serviced in Greece, $237 shipping. Over four times the median.
Seller: 3fters
99% positive
Used$180.00+ shipping
$180.00 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$180.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Zero-feedback seller. No shipping quoted; ask, or plan on pickup.
Seller: dmytrosem
No feedback yet
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 14, 2026.
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