How Much is my Sewing Machine Worth in Your Opinion
 

This is my newest ebay purchase, a Davis Model N badged Capitol. I figure it's worth not much and I didn't pay much. I thought the notch in the handwheel pulley for a hand crank was interesting. Unfortunately this machine uses a special shuttle for 3/4 size Davis machines and the one that came with it is wore out. No Boye replacement available.

Jon,

How much is "that" machine worth? Well, IMHO about $15.00 max. At least that's as high as I'd go to buy it.

That is an interesting little machine. Had I bought it I'd clean in up and make it look as good as it could then hunt up a new(er) shuttle. Somebodies gotta have one.

Joe

Joe,

I paid $25 with shipping. Hard for me to refrain from bidding on these orphan Davis machines that go cheap and no one wants. Some machines I buy for myself and some I buy to resell to buy machines for myself. This ones for myself as I'd have a tough time getting my freight back even if she was working, cleaned up, and respectable looking.

Jon

That's about the range I'd go too. Around $20 max. I don't have a clue about the relative scarcity of Davis machines though. Decals are worn out and it's missing the slide plate. Also machines without the case or cabinet have a higher pain factor than complete ones. The worn out shuttle I wouldn't have a clue about until I got it home and even then I would struggle figuring out the problem. It is a neat looking machine though. I do like the style of the older machines.
Rodney

Rodney,

This machine is extremely rare, I've never seen another "Capitol" for sale on the internet so it's worth big bucks. :D

I hear this argument quite a bit. John Doe could buy 5 Davis machines and have stencilled what ever he wanted on the arm.

Here's a Davis "Knickerbacker",the same model as my "Capital", that has surprisingly failed to sell on ebay for a week or two for $29:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231119520471...84.m1438.l2649

CT must be a tough state to sell old machines

Jon

FYI - I believe you will find that the face plate is on upside down.

Interestng. it is a Davis but not a VF. cool.

The face plate is OK, though the top screw is wrong. I think other makers have the take up lower on the face like New Home. Davis Underfeeds are rarely marked Davis so you have to know certain Davis features, just like bird ID in the field.

Jon

Jon, could you post a picture of that bird so we all know what you mean?

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/646

Sure, IDing birds and sewing machines have much in common except binoculars arn't needed for sewing machines.