Hello Helen,
It is definitely German. At first glance it looks like a Vesta, with the snakeskin faceplate and inspection plates. Also Vesta used to do a lion decal. They didn't manufacture for Singer. The German manufacturers were in competition with Singer, and many of their machines were better if you ask me. Also, like Singer, the Germans exported all over the world. There are plenty of German machines in Australia.
If any of the parts have LOD stamped on them then it is definitely a Vesta. The manufacturer was L. O. Dietrich. Failing that, is there a badge anywhere on the machine? What brand are the needles?
Vestas and other German machines turn up in this country with the brand name of the retailers on them - Harrods, for example. Domesco will probably be the brand name of the retailer, perhaps a large department store.
It's a very nice machine. Clean it up and use it. You couldn't possibly sell it if it belonged to your great grandmother.
Thank you for giving me the excuse to go through the Needlebar picture library. However it is way past my bedtime, so I will have another look tomorrow to see if I can find out more.
Last edited by Muv; 11-15-2012 at 04:20 PM.