Need help identifying Sears Minnesota treadle sewing machine
06-29-2016, 02:20 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Ludowici, GA
Posts: 430
Ahhh ok, I wasn't sure. I should have been more specific, diameter was what I was referring to in my post. Funny enough, the woman I bought it from said, "Oh yeah, my Aunt even bought a new belt for it." She then proceeded to reach into one of the drawers and pulled out a pair of 72" leather boot laces....Who said Necessity wasn't the Mother of invention, huh? 
05-01-2020, 04:08 AM
#22
Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 1
I have recently acquired a Minnesota A. I am hoping to find a few missing parts and get it running. Does anyone know of a parts shop or reproduction manufacturer that deals in Minnesota A machines? It uses shuttles and the serial number is: D3615397.
Thank you in advance. 💜
Kathleen
Thank you in advance. 💜
Kathleen
Last edited by Spearfish; 05-01-2020 at 04:09 AM. Reason: To remove title and add my name.
08-20-2020, 12:21 PM
#24
Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 1
Originally Posted by jlhmnj
Hi,
You have an early Davis Minnesota A before they put the A in Minnesota. This is a Davis Model E, Underfeed. Davis was located in Dayton, Ohio at this time and this machine was made for Sears mail order. The A was the top of the line Sears model and would have sold for roughly $18.
Davis needles, bobbins, and shuttles are unique to Davis. The original needles were called Davis long. One popular needle brand name was "Boye" with the number 10 on the cap. The needles are close to 2" long with a flat on one side. Always best to verify dimensions on Boye tubes as sometimes the contents get mixed up. Ebay is a good place to find them.
The serial number 973011 dates to late 1901 or early 1902. Davis dating records do not exist and this estimate is from original warranty certificates. Davis started making machines for Sears right around 1900 and on a much more limited scale until the late Teens or early Twenties. Davis went belly up in 1924 due to bankruptcy.
Link to similar owners manual:
http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollect...f/sil10-37.pdf
Enjoy, you have a great piece of family history.
Jon
You have an early Davis Minnesota A before they put the A in Minnesota. This is a Davis Model E, Underfeed. Davis was located in Dayton, Ohio at this time and this machine was made for Sears mail order. The A was the top of the line Sears model and would have sold for roughly $18.
Davis needles, bobbins, and shuttles are unique to Davis. The original needles were called Davis long. One popular needle brand name was "Boye" with the number 10 on the cap. The needles are close to 2" long with a flat on one side. Always best to verify dimensions on Boye tubes as sometimes the contents get mixed up. Ebay is a good place to find them.
The serial number 973011 dates to late 1901 or early 1902. Davis dating records do not exist and this estimate is from original warranty certificates. Davis started making machines for Sears right around 1900 and on a much more limited scale until the late Teens or early Twenties. Davis went belly up in 1924 due to bankruptcy.
Link to similar owners manual:
http://www.sil.si.edu/DigitalCollect...f/sil10-37.pdf
Enjoy, you have a great piece of family history.
Jon
do you know what year this machine was made and any particulars about it???
thanks, MeMawMaw
08-20-2020, 05:52 PM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Millville, NJ
Posts: 1,835
MeMawMaw,
I have little information on Unique. It was a popular brand name for Davis. Based on the serial number I received earlier I believe it to be a Davis model H made sometime around 1905. A photo would be good to double check. Davis used 2 different shuttles and bobbins for their Underfeed models (Unique). The one is full sized and the other is 3/4 sized. Unique is full sized so the shuttle and bobbin are larger. The full and 3/4 sized bobbins and shuttles will not interchange.
Jon
I have little information on Unique. It was a popular brand name for Davis. Based on the serial number I received earlier I believe it to be a Davis model H made sometime around 1905. A photo would be good to double check. Davis used 2 different shuttles and bobbins for their Underfeed models (Unique). The one is full sized and the other is 3/4 sized. Unique is full sized so the shuttle and bobbin are larger. The full and 3/4 sized bobbins and shuttles will not interchange.
Jon
09-02-2020, 09:34 AM
#26
Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 5
Where to find serial number information on Minnesota A
I have looked everywhere to find a list or database like the Singer database that tells you when a machine was made, etc. Any idea on my next step? I have a Minnesota Model A with a serial number of D 226 2712. Does the D indicate a Davis- made machine? It has the thread spindle in the middle of the arm... something I've not seen before.
09-02-2020, 03:43 PM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 4,258
Originally Posted by CarolynTemple
I have looked everywhere to find a list or database like the Singer database that tells you when a machine was made, etc. Any idea on my next step? I have a Minnesota Model A with a serial number of D 226 2712. Does the D indicate a Davis- made machine? It has the thread spindle in the middle of the arm... something I've not seen before.
According to http://ismacs.net/sears/sears.html
"For instance, there were five major versions of the Minnesota Model A" (emphasis by me)
Additionally, from my understanding there weren't any company records like Singer had during that time. There are some that have studied and collected info (Bill of Sale or advertisements) about some of them so that they can give an approximate time frame.
We like pictures. In order to post pictures on Quilting Board, you will probably need to reduce or compress the picture to a file size that is smaller than 2MB. How to post images can be found at https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...020-01-17-.pdf
Don't forget to scroll over to the far right to find and click on the "Upload" button.
I have found that only the big red "Reply" button works to give me the paper clip icon to work for adding pictures.
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)
09-02-2020, 04:31 PM
#28
Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 5
Originally Posted by OurWorkbench
Picture, please!? There were several different versions called "Minnesota A" including was a Minnesota A without an A.
According to http://ismacs.net/sears/sears.html
"For instance, there were five major versions of the Minnesota Model A" (emphasis by me)
Additionally, from my understanding there weren't any company records like Singer had during that time. There are some that have studied and collected info (Bill of Sale or advertisements) about some of them so that they can give an approximate time frame.
We like pictures. In order to post pictures on Quilting Board, you will probably need to reduce or compress the picture to a file size that is smaller than 2MB. How to post images can be found at https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...020-01-17-.pdf
Don't forget to scroll over to the far right to find and click on the "Upload" button.
I have found that only the big red "Reply" button works to give me the paper clip icon to work for adding pictures.
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)
According to http://ismacs.net/sears/sears.html
"For instance, there were five major versions of the Minnesota Model A" (emphasis by me)
Additionally, from my understanding there weren't any company records like Singer had during that time. There are some that have studied and collected info (Bill of Sale or advertisements) about some of them so that they can give an approximate time frame.
We like pictures. In order to post pictures on Quilting Board, you will probably need to reduce or compress the picture to a file size that is smaller than 2MB. How to post images can be found at https://www.quiltingboard.com/attach...020-01-17-.pdf
Don't forget to scroll over to the far right to find and click on the "Upload" button.
I have found that only the big red "Reply" button works to give me the paper clip icon to work for adding pictures.
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)
09-02-2020, 06:53 PM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 4,258
That is a beautiful parlor cabinet. I'm glad you able to post pictures from your phone.
I guess I need to rephrase my notes on how to post pictures.. The big red "Reply" button is if you want to reply and post pictures, if you do not "Quote." There is a Quick Reply, like I'm doing now. I don't have the "paper clip icon" to post pictures.
I'm guessing that your machine is close to the same time frame as the opening poster on this thread, maybe between 1907 and 1910. The biggest difference that I can see is that the tension does not have the spoon shaped tension release. It appears from the numbers you gave that you have the correct needles for your machine..
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
I guess I need to rephrase my notes on how to post pictures.. The big red "Reply" button is if you want to reply and post pictures, if you do not "Quote." There is a Quick Reply, like I'm doing now. I don't have the "paper clip icon" to post pictures.
I'm guessing that your machine is close to the same time frame as the opening poster on this thread, maybe between 1907 and 1910. The biggest difference that I can see is that the tension does not have the spoon shaped tension release. It appears from the numbers you gave that you have the correct needles for your machine..
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
09-03-2020, 04:28 AM
#30
Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 5
Originally Posted by OurWorkbench
That is a beautiful parlor cabinet. I'm glad you able to post pictures from your phone.
I guess I need to rephrase my notes on how to post pictures.. The big red "Reply" button is if you want to reply and post pictures, if you do not "Quote." There is a Quick Reply, like I'm doing now. I don't have the "paper clip icon" to post pictures.
I'm guessing that your machine is close to the same time frame as the opening poster on this thread, maybe between 1907 and 1910. The biggest difference that I can see is that the tension does not have the spoon shaped tension release. It appears from the numbers you gave that you have the correct needles for your machine..
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
I guess I need to rephrase my notes on how to post pictures.. The big red "Reply" button is if you want to reply and post pictures, if you do not "Quote." There is a Quick Reply, like I'm doing now. I don't have the "paper clip icon" to post pictures.
I'm guessing that your machine is close to the same time frame as the opening poster on this thread, maybe between 1907 and 1910. The biggest difference that I can see is that the tension does not have the spoon shaped tension release. It appears from the numbers you gave that you have the correct needles for your machine..
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
While I wait for things to release, I'm going to be looking for more needles. These things are huge!
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