Roughly mid to late 1910's on age. Great find on the shuttles, as far as I know these were NOT sold by Boye in their needle and shuttle containers. Sort of surprising considering every Davis 3/4 size machine uses this shuttle. Later Davis hand cranks have an arm that goes into a groove in the hand wheel pulley. My Model T has no pulley as it can only be friction driven by motor. If it did have a pulley on the handwheel, it would have to be cut to fit the Crank arm. Here's a link to better show the later Davis Crank set up:

http://treadlestitches.blogspot.com/...sters-for.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-DAVI...item1e7fc1d854

Jon

Thanks Jon. Interesting. Thanks for the manual link. Funny, I was given a Minnesota A in a treadle cabinet a few weeks ago, and I haven't had a chance to play with it yet. I'll have to compare them. The Minnesota is in much better condition than this little one. In the last few weeks I've brought home a Singer 66 RedEye, the Minnesota A, this Davis and my sweet boyfriend found another Singer electric. I need to catch up. I'll have lots of projects this fall and winter to keep me busy!

I have just got a Davis machine, serial number 138250. I think it may be a model T. It has a vibrating shuttle like a Singer 27. Any idea of date?

Hi Sue,

Welcome. The serial number you listed would be found on a late 1870's Davis low arm vertical feed with a boat shuttle and not close in appearance to a Davis T. I'd double check the serial number on the front slide plate if you don't have the low arm. A picture of your Davis would be fun to see.

Here's a pic of a Davis T:
http://www.sewmuse.co.uk/davis%20sewing%20machine.htm

Here's a pic of a low arm:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10998784@N05/9626765706/

Jon

Just for your serial number data Jon, I have a couple of Davis Model T machines. One badged “Cosmo” with s/n 3058267, and one badged “Rugby” with s/n 3036200.

CD in Oklahoma

Thanks CD--

I think I got the motor and linkage off one your T's. Runs like a top.

Jon

I've had another look at the machine, I think it looks like a model T but on the arm it says "Davis of London" and on the bed, "Made in England"
So is this a totally different manufacturer?
The serial number is very clear: 138250

After Sears pulled the contract on Davis - they tried the UK market to expand sales. Especially with the 3/4 size and hand crank machines. Ultimately did not work for them and they went under not long after that.

So it's likely it's the same Company - but could be very different as it was made in a different factory. They may have even contracted with another mfg to produce them for Davis, one never knows and sometimes the records are gone now - so we never will know for sure.

Sue,

I agree with Cathy that this machine was made by another manufacturer for "Davis of London". This is called a "badged machine". I do not believe Davis of Dayton Ohio made your sewing machine. Jones is a good possibility. There is also an S. Davis. Best to post a pic for ID. I'm not all that familiar with British Manufacturers but perhaps some one will recognize it.

Jon

I am having problems attaching a photo. That said, I've looked carefully at the machine and it is "S Davis and Co" The S has been rubbed off but can still be made out.
I didn't think it was an American machine but would like to know how old it is.
It has a vibrating shuttle and looks very like a Singer 27k.
Somewhere on the web recently I saw that S Davis and co re-badged German machines but this one clearly says Made in England on both the front and back.