Originally Posted by
chris_quilts
I may be looking at a Davis on Friday. It is supposedly an 1885 machine. What do I need to look for and will it require the longer needles? The lady selling it has no sewing machine knowledge whatsoever and so couldn't answer any question minus that it has a cabinet, not coffin top, with drawers and stuff in the drawers. She's asking $125 - is that reasonable, depending upon condition?
I agree with what the other say...just depends on which machine you end up with. I'd say the $125 is reasonable, as long as the machine is complete.
To give you an idea of dating the machine when you see it, look at the slide plate. She got the "1885" from that, should be the last patent date on the machine "May 12, 1885". That was put on these old girls into the 1900's. Check to see what town is listed on the slide plate. If it's Watertown, NY, the machine is pre-1890, but after, of course, 1885. "Dayton, OH" is 1890 or after....that's when they started operations in the new plant.
