Singer · Straight stitch · 1951–1957 (301A from 1953)
The 301 was the first machine from Singer's new Anderson, South Carolina plant and Singer's first slant-needle machine. It's die-cast aluminium, weighs about 16 pounds and runs on gears, so there's no belt to slip, and it sews up to 1,600 stitches a minute. Singer sold it as a portable and a cabinet machine in one. The first 10,000 serials from July 1951 were a limited edition with special badges, and the 301A took over at serial NA185751 in 1953. You'll see long-bed and short-bed versions, and in 1956 a two-tone oyster white and beige joined black and beige. It takes the same thin bobbin as the Featherweight, and repairers say most need only a clean and oil.
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.
Most 301s need only cleaning and oiling. The usual losses are the slant-shank feet, the thin bobbins and the carrying case, and cracked cords and foot controls are common after sixty years.
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 301A titled newly serviced, with a spread of feet and attachments, at $328 delivered. It sits inside the $290–450 delivered band most complete 301s ask, and the service should save you the first clean and grease. There are at least 113 for sale, mostly tan and beige 301As, and a case and foot control are what to pay for, since the case is the piece most often lost. Ask for a photo under the slide plate showing the thin 221/301 bobbins (Class 15 bobbins look close but won't work) and of the cord and foot control. Skip the two zero-feedback listings, one of them shown only as a phone screenshot.
$259.87est. delivered
The lowest delivered 301A titled working, at $260 delivered with its foot control. Ask for a short video of it sewing two layers of cotton, since a seller's "works" can mean only that the motor runs.
Vintage 1950's Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine 301A with Pedal WORKS
$327.85est. delivered
A 301A titled newly serviced, with a pile of feet and attachments in the photos, at $328 delivered and inside the band. Ask whether the thin 301 bobbins are included and what the service covered.
Newly Serviced Singer 301a Sewing machine for leather cotton lace+attach++
$349.99delivered
A 301A titled tested, with its case, foot control and accessories, at $350 with free shipping from a 99.5% seller. That's a fair price for a complete outfit, and the case is the part most 301s have lost.
VTG 301A Singer Sewing Machine w/ Case & Accessories ** TESTED **
$327.85est. delivered
Titled newly serviced, so the clean, oil and grease should be done before it reaches you. Ask for a test seam on two layers of cotton to see the stitch is even on both sides.
Newly Serviced Singer 301a Sewing machine for leather cotton lace+attach++
$360.00delivered
A 1952 black original 301, serial NA040444, well below NA185751 where the 301A begins, at $360 with free shipping. It isn't titled tested, so ask for a video of the handwheel turned by hand and of it sewing.
Vintage 1952 ~ Singer 301 ~ Black ~ SN-NA040444 ~ Slant Needle ~ Sewing Machine
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.
Used$259.87est. delivered
$219.88 + $39.99 shipping
Buy It Now$219.88
Good buy
Titled works, with the pedal.
Seller: devenvasko1
99.8% positive
Serviced$327.85est. delivered
$299.95 + $27.90 shipping
Buy It Now$299.95
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.
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Good buy
Titled newly serviced, with attachments.
Seller: sustenen
100% positive
Used$349.99delivered
$349.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$349.99
Good buy
Titled tested, with case and accessories. Free shipping.
Seller: looking4cheapdeals
99.5% positive
Used$360.00delivered
$360.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$360.00
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.
Good buy
1952 original 301 in black, serial NA040444. Not titled tested.
Seller: dwakerly
100% positive
Used$233.66est. delivered
$195.00 + $38.66 shipping
Buy It Now$195.00
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.
Our take
Titled motor runs, not sews. No foot control in the first photo.
Seller: heiusa2
100% positive
Serviced$347.00est. delivered
$248.00 + $99.00 shipping
Buy It Now$248.00
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.
Our take
Titled serviced and working, with extras. The $99 shipping takes it to $347 delivered.
Seller: 24kuratedfinds
100% positive
Used$217.05est. delivered
$101.00 + $116.05 shipping
Buy It Now$101.00
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, and the photo is a phone screenshot. Pay only through eBay checkout, if at all.
Seller: ch47p-3
No feedback yet
Used$661.07est. delivered
$550.00 + $111.07 shipping
Buy It Now$550.00
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.
Priced high
Zero-feedback seller asking almost twice the band median. Pay only through eBay checkout.
Seller: laumiller56
No feedback yet
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