Singer · Zigzag · Early 1960s (about 1961–63)
Collectors call the 500A the Rocketeer for its long oval arm and jet-age styling, and it came out of Singer's Anderson, South Carolina plant in the early 1960s. It's a different machine from the 401A, with its own body and a stitch knob on the arm. You get built-in stitches, and it also takes Fashion Discs for more patterns, with discs 2 to 5 in the attachment set. Its sibling, the 503A, needs discs for every zigzag stitch. Singer's parts list says the arm and bed were machined so closely for gear alignment that the bed couldn't be sold on its own. Anderson stopped making sewing machines after the last 503A in 1963, so these were the last domestic machines from that plant. Find one with its disc set and slant-shank feet.
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.
Like the other gear-drive Singers, it stiffens when old grease hardens. Missing Fashion Discs, feet and the plastic bobbins are common, and the 503A is often listed as a 500.
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 500A titled working at $230 delivered from a 100% seller, under the $270–450 delivered band most complete Rocketeers ask. There are at least 30 for sale, and many sit in cabinets that ship heavy or not at all, which is why the Copenhagen cabinet listing comes to $1,570 delivered with $820 of it shipping. Check the photos show 500A on the machine, not 503A, which needs a disc for every zigzag stitch, and count Fashion Discs 2 to 5 and the slant-shank feet. Several listings here are from zero-feedback accounts, one reusing another seller's title, so pay only through eBay checkout.
$224.98est. delivered
The lowest delivered 500A titled working, with a video, at $225 delivered from a 99.6% seller. The title names no discs or foot pedal, so ask what comes with it.
VINTAGE SINGER SEWING MACHINE ROCKETEER MODEL 500A Mid Century Modern WorksVIDEO
$230.33est. delivered
A 500A titled working at $230 delivered, under the band, from a 100% seller. Ask for a photo of the discs and pedal and a video of the stitch knob run through the built-in stitches on scrap.
Vintage Singer Model 500A Slant-O-Matic Rocketeer Sewing Machine Works
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$224.98est. delivered
$149.99 + $74.99 shipping
Buy It Now$149.99
Good buy
Titled works, with a video.
Seller: pupunu570
99.6% positive
Used$230.33est. delivered
$155.00 + $75.33 shipping
Buy It Now$155.00
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
Titled works.
Seller: an634357
100% positive
Used$177.45est. delivered
$139.99 + $37.46 shipping
Buy It Now$139.99
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.
Our take
With its foot pedal. Not titled tested.
Seller: alicruzz
99.5% positive
Used$302.50est. delivered
$225.00 + $77.50 shipping
Buy It Now$225.00
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
1961, with the attachment box and manual in the photos. Not titled tested.
Seller: pa-61360355
100% positive
Used$261.14est. delivered
$219.99 + $41.15 shipping
Buy It Now$219.99
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.
Check the seller
Zero-feedback seller using another seller's title. Pay only through eBay checkout.
Seller: mi-7468
No feedback yet
Used$532.95est. delivered
$483.00 + $49.95 shipping
Buy It Now$483.00
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
Titled tested, with discs and accessories; the table is pickup only. Seller at 97.4%.
Seller: vintage-sewing-machines
97.4% positive
Used$1,569.51est. delivered
$750.00 + $819.51 shipping
Buy It Now$750.00
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 and $820 shipping on a cabinet. Plan on pickup or pass.
Seller: tamshr_15
No feedback yet
Used$300.00+ shipping
$300.00 · shipping not stated
Auction · no bids yet · ends in 1d 14h
Check the seller
Zero-feedback seller, auction with no bids. No shipping quoted; ask, or plan on pickup.
Seller: bobwag
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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Singer
Zigzag$290–$420 typical ask
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Zigzag$230–$420 typical ask
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