ljr

Thank you for the information, I had figured out yesterday that it was sold my Sears but that is about all. How did you know that it might be a Davis E? I did look at the shuttle and it does have Davis stamped on it.

All afternoon I have been reading all of the posts regarding Minnesota A and my brain is just about mush. I did look to see what was in the drawers of the cabinet and I did find a rusted needle and of course it is 2" long exactly. From what I read that tells me it took Boye 10 aka Davis Long needles, of course it would. I did read that I can substitute MTx190 just need to be sure they match up. I have a really good tech for all my machines that just might have some Boye 10 needles. Now if I can just find out the approximate date of number D1122918.

Lawanda

OurWorkbench

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.

leonf

Lawanda, my sis's former in-laws have land near Fredonia. Her late hubbys's ashes were buried on land he loved. And thanks for catching my spelling error.

ljr

Leon, when I read your reply it didn't look right but I wasn't really thinking about it. When I was typing to reply was when I noticed it. I did have to smile because you probably drink more coffee than you spell the county.

I have lots of people that like the filing cabinet. When I had my office I kept my orders in it. I had one client that wanted it for his wife. I told him when I was ready to part with it he would have first chance, however, sadly he passed away a couple of years ago. The small drawers are perfect to hold CD's.

Lawanda

leonf

'fraid not. I have never liked the taste of coffee/. But I do love to sniff it. Sometimes I'll go bug a co-worker just to smell the coffee. Experienced ones won't offer any. They know the answer.

Janey and I have met. She's really good at research.

ljr

I wrote a really long reply to Janey thanking her and letting her know what I found. Apparently you get kicked off here if you are typing for a little bit. When I hit send it told me to "sign in". Just haven't gotten back to it.

OurWorkbench

I have that happen fairly frequently. I try to remember to copy my response, but frequently just hit "Submit Reply." I have found that when I sign in, it will take me back to the "Reply to Thread" or "Quick Reply." As it has been flashing "Auto Saved" as I have been typing, even though it has probably already timed me out, so when I sign in the message box will be blank. However, there will be a a kind of ghosted message in the lower left side of the empty message box that says something to the effect "Restore Saved Content" I will click on that and it will fill in most, if not all of what I have typed. Of course, that doesn't help; you, now.

You are welcome. I like to do research and help others, with the information I have found. There used to be a really good resource at needlebar.org, There is still some good information on that site, but the picture gallery has gone AWOL and probably will not be repopulated. I can't remember if there is a Facebook or io.groups for Davis machines. I don't have any Davis or their associated badged machines, so don't think I would be able to help with any specific info.

Have fun with your beautiful machine.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
Not affiliated with off-site link(s)

kt2062

Can these decals be purchased anywhere? I have a Minnesota I acquired from my grandmother in New York. The decals are somewhat worn.

Also there seems to be a gap such that the machine keeps falling into the cabinet. I am attaching a photo of the small gap where the machine is not supported by the cabinet. Hopefully you can see what I mean.

kt2062

OK, I have to work on uploading photos. I'm a new member, I apologize.