T... How did you know that it might be a Davis E? ...
Now if I can just find out the approximate date of number D1122918.
After you posted the picture, I looked at the link that Joe & I referred to. It is about one third the way down the page. Actually, if you do a search on that page for
Davis Model E you will find an image.
From my understanding, the Model A, didn't get the "A" until 1904 and I think that starting in 1910 the more streamlined "A" came about. I originally thought that the spool pin placement may have moved toward the hand wheel about 1910, too. I could be wrong. As you have found that serial numbers for most sewing manufacturers are practically non-existent. I think I'm fairly safe in saying that your machine was probably made between 1904 and 1910.
I agree with Leon about the filing cabinet.
I thought that maybe it would take the Davis Long needles. Sometimes you can find some on ebay, like
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Boye-Davis-...IAAOSwoCtdPEge It looks like the substitute needles are round shank, rather than flat shank as indicated
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Davis-Lo...0AAOSwydNdSeAJ
I have a reproduction Sears catalog from about that time frame, but have misplaced it to see if your machine would have been advertised in it.
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)
ETA: I think your picture size is just right.
