National was headquartered in Belvidere, IL and Free (including New Home) was headquartered just a few miles away in Rockford, IL, both close to Chicago. I did some research on both companies at the local libraries there. The chart I have says the Damascus (it doesn't say Damascus Grand) was manufactured in 1937, and I own a Damascus with a warranty certificate dated 1937 but I'm sure production spanned more than one year. But 1937 is a good starting point. One thing to remember is that all of the American sewing machine manufacturers quit manufacturing sewing machines during WWII and produced war materials. National supplied the machines for Montgomery Ward and there were several models in the line. I read a post by Damascus Anne a few months ago in which she said even with her years of research, she still had a hard time matching pictures people sent her with her research.