The Singer sewing machines produced in the factory of Bonnières Sur Seine (France) | #LRCrafts - DIY Passion: if you can think it, you can make it
I’ve been working for a while now on a searchable database of Singer sewing machine serial numbers. You type in a number, and it tells you the available informtion, such as when and where the machine was made, which model it is, and in most cases even manuals and other useful info.
As part of this work, I recently dove into the history of Singer machines made in Monza, in Italy. That project quickly showed me how difficult it can be to track factory-specific production when official records are incomplete or lost.
While gathering material for such a research, I came across the wonderful research Julia had already done on the Singer factory at Bonnières-sur-Seine, in France. She kindly shared her work with me so I could add it to the database and expand on it. I’m very grateful for her efforts, which form now the backbone of what we know about Bonnières production.
Like Monza, Bonnières is a bit of a puzzle, since the original records are now lost. Which models were built there, and in what years? To make things easier for fellow collectors and researchers, I’ve gathered all the Bonnières serial numbers we have so far into one place.
If you own a machine that you believe was made in Bonnières, or have any additional details, photos, or clues, please share them in the comments. Every piece of information helps us build a clearer picture of this factory’s history.
Table of contents
Sewing machines made in Bonnières Sur Seine (France)
Search the full databaseSerial numbers of Singer sewing machines produced in Bonnières Sur Seine can be identified by their prefix letter.
They start with SA, SB, SC, and so on, until SN, followed by six digits.
Model numbers, instead, bear the location code B.
Search for a Bonnières-sur-Seine factory serial number:Showing 177 of 177 serial numbers
SA00405015B881935-1986
SA00873715B881935-1986
SA00965915B881935-1986
SA01064815B881935-1986
SA01342215B881935-1986
SA01418015B1935-1986
SA02548115B881935-1986
SA02966615B881935-1986
SA09406515B891935-1986
SA09670015B881935-1986
SA10648115B881935-1986
SA12719515B881940The machine came with a purchase invoice dated 2nd May 1940.
SA13769215B881935-1986
SA13851615B1935-1986
SA17271415B881935-1986
SA18182015B881935-1986
SA19790115B881935-1986
SA226599 15B901935-1951Decals: Eye and Trefoils. About the machine (in French)
SA22716315B881935-1986
SA22867615B881935-1986
SA24116215B901935-1986
SA25094315B881935-1986
SA25817015B881935-1986
SA25976915B881935-1986
SA27542815B901935-1986
SA29069315B881951This machine has its original Certificate of Guarantee from 1951.
SA31248615B1935-1986
SA32032515B881961This machine has its original Certificate of Guarantee from the 25th May 1961.
SA32172915B901950This machine has its original Certificate of Guarantee from 25th November 1950.
SA33123515B881935-1986
SA33392715B881935-1986
SA33474215B881935-1986
SA33974415B881949-1951?This machine has the Centennial badge, commemorating 100 years of Singer in 1950, so we can assume it was manufactured around that period.
SA35009515B901953The machine came with a purchase invoice dated 1953.
SA35292215B881949-1951?This machine has the Centennial badge, commemorating 100 years of Singer in 1950, so we can assume it was manufactured around that period.
SA35533115B881951This machine has its original delivery note and Certificate of Guarantee from 1951.
SA35628915B881935-1986
SA35850115B881949-1951?This machine has the Centennial badge, commemorating 100 years of Singer in 1950, so we can assume it was manufactured around that period.
SA36721915B881949-1951?This machine has the Centennial badge, commemorating 100 years of Singer in 1950, so we can assume it was manufactured around that period.
SA39069315B881951This machine has its original warranty slip dated 1951.
SA40070715B881949-1951?This machine has the Centennial badge, commemorating 100 years of Singer in 1950, so we can assume it was manufactured around that period.
SA41390815B881935-1986
SA42185315B881935-1986
SA42244015B881952The machine came with a purchase invoice dated 19th August 1952.
SA42868715B881952The machine came with its purchase year annotated (1952).
SA43479815B881935-1986
SA43549615B881935-1986
SA47713015B881935-1986
SA48481715B881935-1986
SA48733615B881953This machine has its original purchase invoice and Certificate of Guarantee from 1953.
SA49388515B881953This machine has its original purchase invoice dated 10th April 1953.
SA49676515B881954Machine originally bought in 1954 in France.
SA50097315B901935-1986
SA50358315B881935-1986
SA50974815B881935-1986
SA51176115B881935-1986
SA51258915B881935-1986
SA55720515B881954This treadle machine has the original buying certificate from 1954.
SA55720615B901935-1986
SA55812115B901935-1986
SA55812215B1935-1986
SA56281815B901935-1986
SA56517015B881935-1986
SA57132415B881935-1986
SA57385515B901935-1986
SA582483 15B1935-1986Decals: Eye and Trefoils. Photos of the machine
SA58335015B901935-1986
SA58726415B881954This machine has its original delivery note and warranty slip dated 6th November 1954.
SA58868415B901935-1986
SA59277715B881954This machine has its original purchase invoice and warranty slip from 1954.
SA60244915B751935-1986
SA61430715B751935-1986Original owner bought it new from the Singer shop in Noisy Le Sec (France), sold by a representative called M. Briant. Came with wooden cabinet and travelling box.
SA61748315B751935-1986
SA61791215B751935-1986
SA66851615B751956The machine came with a purchase invoice dated 12th May 1956.
SA67399115B751955The machine came with a purchase invoice from 1955.
SA67432315B901935-1986
SA68416215B751935-1986
SA68807715B881935-1986
SA71406615B751935-1986
SA73209815B1935-1986
SA73511915B751935-1986
SA73529115B751935-1986
SA76064715B751956The machine came with a purchase invoice and Certificate of Guarantee from 1956.
SA76414015B1935-1986
SA76738115B751956The machine came with a purchase invoice from 1956.
SA79919715B1935-1986
SA82410315B1935-1986Color beige
SA82450015B751935-1986
SA82581815B111935-1986Color beige
SA83109915B751935-1986
SA83560015B751935-1986
SA88001715B751935-1986
SA88698615B901935-1986
SA908023191B111935-1986
SA916083191B111935-1986The machine came with an accessory box dated April 1957. A clue about the machine's dating, but the box could have been purchased separately, so be older or more recent than the machine itself.
SA922636191B111935-1986
SA930211191B1935-1986Tan color
SA937107191B111935-1986
SA938010191B1935-1986
SA939166191B1935-1986
SA942576191B1935-1986
SA945678191B1935-1986Beige treadle machine with lamp
SA950882191B1935-1986
SA965343191B1935-1986
SA967590191B1935-1986
SA971365191B1935-1986
SA972842191B1935-1986
SA976957191B1935-1986
SA979173191B1935-1986
SA979178191B1935-1986Decals: Eye and Trapezoids. About the machine (in French)
SA979249191B111935-1986
SA979478191B1935-1986
SA997364191B1935-1986
SA998730191B111935-1986The machine came with an accessory box dated 1958. A clue about the machine's dating, but the box could have been purchased separately, so be older or more recent than the machine itself.
SA999351191B1935-1986
SA1000000191B111935-1986Beige machine. Photo of the red logo badge
SB001055191B1935-1986
SB012753191B1935-1986
SB013533191B111935-1986
SB028402191B111935-1986
SB042743191B111935-1986
SB044530191B111935-1986
SB048086191B111935-1986Color beige
SB052522191B111935-1986Color beige
SB074229191B1935-1986
SB087977191B1935-1986
SB109315191B171935-1986
SB115100191B171935-1986Color beige
SB132494191B1935-1986Color beige
SB132543191B1935-1986
SB132547191B1935-1986Color beige
SB133519191B171935-1986Color beige
SB148812191B171935-1986
SB158185191B1935-1986
SB186687191B171935-1986Color beige
SB195000191B1935-1986
SB198582191B171961This machine has its original Certificate of Guarantee and buying receipt from 21st February 1961.
SB202925191B1935-1986
SB221696191B111935-1986Color beige
SB272778191B1935-1986
SB299329169B1935-1986
SB300370191B1935-1986
SB313293191B1935-1986
SB318255191B171962This machine has its original Certificate of Guarantee from 28th February 1962. The serial number is SB318255, but the certificate reports SN318255.
SB330528191B1935-1986
SB336452191B1935-1986
SB348115191B171935-1986
SB368867191B171935-1986
SB374489191B171935-1986
SB377820191B111935-1986
SB381771191B111935-1986
SB389557169B1935-1986
SB399507198B1935-1986
SB405191191B111935-1986
SB406852191B1935-1986
SB414435191B111935-1986Color beige
SB415989169B1962This machine has its purchase invoice from 1962.
SB435151169B1935-1986
SB443970169B1935-1986
SB447103191B1935-1986
SB447262169B1935-1986
SB452523191B111935-1986Color beige
SB464483191B1935-1986Color beige
SB471783169B1935-1986
SB478921191B1935-1986
SB661196169B1935-1986
SB680215169B1935-1986
SB680561169B1935-1986
SB690920198B1935-1986
SB699073197B1935-1986Color beige
SB710516198B1935-1986
SB773186198B1935-1986
SB796491198B1935-1986
SB1000000191B131960The machine came with its original buying receipt dated 5th December 1960.
SC119037128B1935-1986Decals: La Vencedora.
SM756250191B1935-1986
Brief history of the Singer sewing machine factory in Bonnières Sur Seine
Singer’s French history took a major step forward in the 1930s. In October 1934, the company acquired the premises of the Leroy works in Bonnières-sur-Seine, a small industrial town northwest of Paris. The site already had a long industrial past, with links to both the Micheaux oil refinery and the St-Eloi metallurgical works.
After extensive renovations, Singer inaugurated its new French plant in 1935, under the name La Compagnie Singer Société Anonyme. Unlike smaller assembly facilities elsewhere, Bonnières was a vertically integrated factory: it could handle every step of sewing machine production, from castings and enamel finishing to the making of wooden cases and even electric motors. At its peak, more than 1600 workers were employed there.
The factory was ideally placed between the Seine and the Paris–Le Havre railway, with direct access to river transport and a private rail spur. This strategic location allowed raw materials to arrive efficiently and finished machines to be shipped across France and beyond. For decades, the brick-red buildings of the Singer plant dominated the townscape and became closely tied to Bonnières’ identity.
Machines produced here carried a “B” after the model number (such as the 15B or 191B) and serial numbers beginning with two letters SA, SB, SC, and so on, followed by six digits. These markings remain the clearest way to identify a Bonnières-made Singer today.
Through the 1950s and 1960s, Bonnières was an important part of Singer’s global network. But by the late 1960s, traditional family sewing machines were phased out, and the factory began winding down. In 1971 the plant passed under Singer France SA, continuing production on a smaller scale. Ultimately, facing global competition and rising costs, the site closed in 1985.
Today, most of the factory complex has been repurposed as a business park, with only one original building preserved in its early form.
A closer look inside the Bonnières factory
A fascinating description of the Bonnières plant was published at the beginning of the 1950s in Visite à l’usine de Bonnières-sur-Seine. It gives us a vivid picture of how Singer machines were actually made there, and of the scale and precision involved.
Berget describes Bonnières as a fully integrated plant: it manufactured nearly every component of a sewing machine, from the iron castings to the enamel finish, from wooden cabinets to electric motors. Strict quality checks were carried out at every stage, ensuring Singer’s reputation for durability and precision.
The production process began in the foundry, where molten iron was poured into sand molds to form the machine’s key parts. These raw castings were then machined into the two main elements of a sewing machine’s “head”: the arm and the bed. Each operation (drilling, milling, threading, fitting) was checked again and again to guarantee accuracy.
After machining, the parts were smoothed, polished, and cleaned before entering the enameling department. Here, the heads were coated, dipped and sprayed with multiple layers of enamel, then decorated with decals and finished with a clear varnish. The machines were left to cure for four weeks to ensure a lasting shine.
Assembly brought everything together: the heads were fitted with hundreds of precisely engineered parts, then tested for function and adjusted by skilled workers. Each machine was run through sewing trials, including embroidery and darning, before being oiled, polished, and packed for shipping. Berget notes that a finished Singer machine contained no fewer than 204 individual parts.
The Bonnières plant also had large woodworking shops where cabinets and cases were made from timber that had been carefully seasoned, both outdoors and in kilns. And alongside the sewing machines, the factory produced Singer’s own electric motors, held to the same strict standards of quality and endurance.
Beyond production, Singer placed emphasis on worker welfare: modern canteens, medical services, bus transportation, and social facilities were provided, echoing the company’s broader tradition of creating community around its factories.
By the late 1960s, however, the production of family sewing machines at Bonnières came to an end, and the factory gradually wound down before closing entirely in the 1970s. Today, only part of the site remains, repurposed for new industries, but Berget’s account preserves a detailed glimpse of the factory’s heyday.
Bonnières remembered today
Even though the Singer factory in Bonnières-sur-Seine closed in the late 1970s, the site continues to draw attention as an important part of local and industrial heritage.
In 2010, during the Journées du Patrimoine, Odile Berget visited the old plant and described what survives.
Most of the factory buildings have since been repurposed as a business park, but one structure remains as it was: the steam engine hall. The massive Farcot steam engine, dating from 1906 (before Singer acquired the site), has been restored by a group of volunteers. Although its boiler is no longer in service, the machinery can still run on compressed air. Visitors are struck by its sheer scale, from the gigantic flywheels to the marble-backed electrical control panels that once powered the plant.
A former employee has also set up part of his personal collection of sewing machines there, and there are hopes that a small museum dedicated to Bonnières’ industrial past may eventually open.
Resources
- About the Singer factory of Bonnières sur Seine by SingerSewingInfo
- (FR) About the history of the factory
- French factory tour in the 1950s, in French and English
- Tour of the factory in 2010, in French and English
- The restored powerplant, in French and English
- (FR) The discussion forum that was the starting point of this research
More resources
Find info on your Singer sewing machine
Manuals and lists of parts for vintage Singer sewing machines
The Singer sewing machines produced in the factory of Bonnières Sur Seine (France)
The sewing machines produced in the Singer factory in Monza (Italy)
More on our vintage sewing machines
The Orsha vintage toy sewing machine I chose for my daughter
Found a vintage Vesta Dietrich sewing machine: discovering a piece of history
Vintage Singer sewing machine welcomed in the family
Singer 31K15 industrial sewing machine looking for a new home
by Rici86.