Hi Dan
Sears has been selling domestic sewing machines since the 1890's. I think the first Domestic was the New Minnesota A after Davis or the Franklin. Here's an article in Ismacs on the different Sears machines:
http://www.ismacs.net/sears/sears.html
Steve--Kind act to take a sewing machine neither you or your friend is interested in and give him a few bucks for.
Jon