Originally Posted by
BoJangles
Ok Jon, the picture of the Hale Crescent on the newspaper ad, is my machine - the cabinet looks exactly like the picture. I wish I could print out the newspaper article, but when I try it comes out 'tiny.' I have tried re-sizing the article, but it still comes out tiny! I want to put that article in the paperwork with this machine! Thank you so much!
Now what makes you think it is a Davis? My Free has the same chain lift on the cabinet, so does my National Two Spools? My Davis Vertical Feed uses the flip lid, not the chain lift? I am just curious, I am not doubting you. This machine definitely is the machine pictured on the newspaper article.
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
Davis and others contracted out there cabinet work. There was a company in Cleveland that made cabinets for some Davis' , White's, and possibly Free(?) and National(?). I found one Watertown Davis cabinet (pre 1890)marked by this outfit (T. Kundtz). Not sure who made the later irons but these were also contracted out on the early Davis Watertown machines by Bagley & Sewell.
The main giveaway to me that this machine is a Davis is the square needle plate found on their Bottom Feeders. The Nationals like the Franklin and later Minnesota's have a circular needleplate, also the Frees'. There are a few other things that are different but the needle plate is the first thing I look at to see if a machine I've never heard of is made by Davis. Early VS Whites used this square needleplate but look nothing like a Davis. This is my theory and works well for me. BTW, National bought out Davis and then Free bought National all during the 1920's.
Jon