To create this page I needed information from the pages created by the Davis VF Yahoo group as an aid for collectors and lots of data from the NeedleBar website.

 www.kelsew           Davis VF Yahoo group                     NeedleBar

Having to judge the sewing machines simply looking at the pictures that I find on the web, I might make mistakes. I decided to call every sewing machine type 1 or 2 or 3 based upon only difference that I can find out by observing photos. In order not to confuse anyone, for sewing machines " Low Arm Vertical Feed ", I'll call them " LAVF " 1 or 2 or 3 etc. What could change the type from one machine to the other, will be differences aesthetics or mechanical improvements (a new patent).

 

DAVIS BY MODELS

 

 

 

 

 

 

1860

 

 

Feb. 21     US 27.208

 

 

 

 

 1860

 

Patent Model 

 

Icons of American Invention American Patent Models

by

Barbara Suit Janssen

 

 

*********************************************************

The evening telegraph ....................... December 24, 1869
The evening telegraph ....................... December 24, 1869

 

 

 

 

 1868

 

This sewing machine that it supposed to be the first

made by the Davis Company in Watertown , it will be call:

 

 

LAVF 1

 

 

 

 1868-72

 

LAVF 1

 

From The Encyclopedia of Early American Sewing Machines - 3rd Edition

............June 29, 1872  Lewiston Evening Journal...............
............June 29, 1872 Lewiston Evening Journal...............

 

 

 

 

 

1872

 

 LAVF 2

# 37.278 .............................................................. 1874
# 37.278 .............................................................. 1874

 

 

 

 

 

 

 LAVF 2

US Patent 163.639 ................................... May 25, 1875
US Patent 163.639 ................................... May 25, 1875

 

 

 

  1875

 

 LAVF 3

 

A new and Improved Sewing Machine.

 

Application filed

December 12, 1874.

 

# 49.439 .............................................................. 1875
# 49.439 .............................................................. 1875

 

LAVF 3

 

May 7-17-27 1854 

Feb 26 1856

Feb 21 1860

Oct   9 1866

Apr 15 1867

May 28 1867

Sep 29 1868

Sep 10 1872

patents on the slide-plate

# 49.713 .............................................................. 1875
# 49.713 .............................................................. 1875

 

 

 

 

1875

 

LAVF 3

 

 

 

 

1876

 

  LAVF 4

US Patent 176.686 ................................... April 25, 1876
US Patent 176.686 ................................... April 25, 1876

 

 

 

 

     

      1876

 

Improvements  in

Sewing Machine Thread Controllers or Take-Ups

# 72.163 .................... NeedleBar .......................... 1877
# 72.163 .................... NeedleBar .......................... 1877

 

 

 

 

 

1877

 

 

LAVF 4

 

 

 

 

LAVF 4

 

 

 

 

LAVF 4

#129.707 ............................................................. 1879
#129.707 ............................................................. 1879

 

 LAVF 4

 

May  7-17-27 1854 

Feb 26 1856

Feb 21 1860

Oct   9 1866

Apr 15 1867

May 28 1867

Sep 29 1868

            Sep 10 1872

Lewiston Evening Journal ................. December  5, 1879
Lewiston Evening Journal ................. December 5, 1879

 

 

 

            1879

             December

 

LAVF 5

# 201.295 .................... NeedleBar ........................ 1881
# 201.295 .................... NeedleBar ........................ 1881

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAVF 5

US 250.053 ..................................... November 29. 1881
US 250.053 ..................................... November 29. 1881

 

 

 

 

 

1881

 

US Patent

August 1881
August 1881

 

 

 

1881 

 

HIGH ARM

 

Model  1

# 212.838 ............................................................ 1882
# 212.838 ............................................................ 1882

 

LAVF 5

 

May  7-17-27 1854 

Feb 26 1856

Feb 21 1860

Oct   9 1866

Apr 15 1867

May 28 1867

Sep 29 1868

Sep 10 1872

May 25 1875

Apr 25 1876

# 213.922 ................ last recorded ........................ 1882
# 213.922 ................ last recorded ........................ 1882

 

LAVF 5

 

May  7-17-27 1854 

Feb 26 1856

Feb 21 1860

Oct   9 1866

Apr 15 1867

May 28 1867

Sep 29 1868

Sep 10 1872

May 25 1875

Apr 25 1876

  

US Patent 270.540 ............................... January 9, 1883
US Patent 270.540 ............................... January 9, 1883

 

 

 

      1883

 

        US Patent

                

for

 improvements in the feed mechanism

Lewiston Evening Journal ............................ Mar 21, 1883
Lewiston Evening Journal ............................ Mar 21, 1883

 

 

 

 

 

1883

THE NEW HIGH ARM ........... Model 2 VF .................. 1883
THE NEW HIGH ARM ........... Model 2 VF .................. 1883

 

 

 

 

1883 

 

 

Model  2 VF

 

Brochure

 

 

 

 

 

 

Model  2 VF

# 274.636 ............................................................ 1884
# 274.636 ............................................................ 1884

 

 

 

 

 Model  2 VF

 

US 58.614 (Oct. 9, 1866)

US 176.686 (Apr. 25, 1876)

US 270.540 (Jan. 9, 1883)

# 293.459 ............................................................ 1885
# 293.459 ............................................................ 1885

 

 

 

 

 

Model  2 VF

# 302.482 ............................................................ 1885
# 302.482 ............................................................ 1885

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Model  3 VF

300.000 machines in use ............................. March 1885
300.000 machines in use ............................. March 1885

 

 

1885 

 

300.000

machines in use

 

Model 4 VF
Model 4 VF

 

 

 

 

 

1885-6

# 325.481 ............................................................ 1886
# 325.481 ............................................................ 1886

 

 

 

 

DAVIS 

 

 

Model  4 VF

 

1886

 

Model  5 VF ............................................................ 1886
Model 5 VF ............................................................ 1886

 

 131.166 (Sep. 10, 1872)

  163.639 (May 25, 1875)

176.686 (Apr. 25, 1876)

 

Oct. 17, 1881

 

250.053 (Nov. 29, 1881)

 

Jan. 23-28-29, 1883

 May 12, 1885

 

Bobbin winder on pillar

Model  5 VF ............................................................ 1886
Model 5 VF ............................................................ 1886

 

 

 

VERTICAL FEED

 

 

Model  5 VF

 

 

 

 

Bobbin winder on pillar

 

 

 

 

# 368.663 ............................................................ 1887
# 368.663 ............................................................ 1887

 

 

 

 

 DAVIS

 

 

Model  5 VF

Model 6 ..................................................... August  1887
Model 6 ..................................................... August 1887

 

 

 

             1887

 

VERTICAL FEED

 

 

Model  6 VF

# 363.634 ....... www.naehmaschine-antik.de ........... 1887
# 363.634 ....... www.naehmaschine-antik.de ........... 1887

 

 

 

 

1887

 

DAVIS

 

 

Model  6 VF

         1887

 

****************************************

         1888

George P. Huffman purchased the Davis Sewing Machine Company.

# 380.652 ............................................................ 1888
# 380.652 ............................................................ 1888

 

DAVIS  Model  5 VF

 

Sep.  10, 1872

May   25, 1875

Apr.  25, 1876

Oct.  17, 1881

Nov.  29, 1881

Jan.  23-28-29, 1883

May  12, 1885

 

# 389.942 ............................................................ 1888
# 389.942 ............................................................ 1888

 

 

 

 

DAVIS 

 

 

Model  5 VF

# 413.812 ............................................................ 1889
# 413.812 ............................................................ 1889

 DAVIS  Model  5 VF

 

131.166 (Sep.  10, 1872)

163.639 (May   25, 1875)

176.686 (Apr.  25, 1876)

 

Oct.  17, 1881

 

250.053 (Nov.  29, 1881)

 

Jan.  23-28-29, 1883

 May  12, 1885

# 419.601 ............................................................ 1889
# 419.601 ............................................................ 1889

 

 

 

 

 VERTICAL FEED

 

 

Model  6 VF

May 1889
May 1889

 

 

1889

 

VERTICAL FEED 

 

" A"

 

 (Model  7 VF)

 

This machine has a new take-up lever and a new adjustable tension device.

Vertical Feed
Vertical Feed

 

DAVIS 

 

 

 " A"

 

 (Model  7 VF)

 

This machine has a new take-up lever and a new adjustable tension device.

 

   

     1889                   WATERTOWN

********************************************

     1890                     DAYTON 

 

 

 

Jan. 13, 1890

 

   DAYTON

             factory

 

 

 

 

      1891

 

 

            1892

 

 

# 535.379 ............................................................ 1893
# 535.379 ............................................................ 1893

 

 

 

 

DAVIS 

 

Model  5 VF

 

 

From now on, machines have a rounded bed corners. 

# 543.213 ............................................................ 1893
# 543.213 ............................................................ 1893

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

 

 Model  5 VF

 

 

 

sharp square bed corners.

# 575.837 ............................................................ 1894
# 575.837 ............................................................ 1894

 VERTICAL FEED

Model  6 VF

 

 May  25, 1875

April  25, 1876

Oct  17, 1881

Nov  29, 1881

Jan  23-28-29, 1883

May  12, 1885

 

 

 

 

            1894

 

VERTICAL FEED

 

 

Model  8 VF

 

 

This machine has a rounded bed corners and the new take-up lever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Model  8 VF

 

 

 

 

This machine has a rounded bed corners and the new take-up lever.

# 630.400 ............................................................ 1896
# 630.400 ............................................................ 1896

 

 

 

DAVIS

ADVANCE

UNDERFEED 

 

 Model  8 UF 

 

 

 

# 681.615 ..... Needlebar ..... Courtesy of Crystal ...... 1898
# 681.615 ..... Needlebar ..... Courtesy of Crystal ...... 1898

 

 

 

 

 DAVIS

 

 

Model  8 VF

 

 

 

1900
1900

 

 

1900

 

DAVIS  

NEW CENTURY

UNDERFEED

 

 Model  8 UF

 

 

1900
1900
# 755.805 ............................................................ 1900
# 755.805 ............................................................ 1900

   

 

 

DAVIS

 

 

Model  8 VF

 

 

 

# 791.504 ............................................................ 1900
# 791.504 ............................................................ 1900

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

 

 

Model  8 VF

# 1.066.325 ......................................................... 1902
# 1.066.325 ......................................................... 1902

 

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

 

 

Model  8 VF

 

 

 

# 1.207.552 ......................................................... 1903
# 1.207.552 ......................................................... 1903

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

MINNESOTA

 UNDER FEED

 

 Model  "A"

# 1.398.067 ......... www.sewmuse.co.uk .................. 1904
# 1.398.067 ......... www.sewmuse.co.uk .................. 1904

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

 

 

Model  UF

# 1.454.858 ......................................................... 1904
# 1.454.858 ......................................................... 1904

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

MINNESOTA

UNDER FEED

 

 Model  "B" 

# 1.496.620 ......................................................... 1904
# 1.496.620 ......................................................... 1904

 

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

 

 

Model  UF

# 1.828.524 ......................................................... 1906
# 1.828.524 ......................................................... 1906

 

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

 

 

Model  VF

# 2.003.181 ......................................................... 1907
# 2.003.181 ......................................................... 1907

 

 

DAVIS

NEW VICTORY

UNDER FEED

 

 

Model   L M

# 2.158.585 .......................................................... 1908
# 2.158.585 .......................................................... 1908

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

KNICKERBOCKER

UNDER FEED

 

 

Model  N

 

# 2.402.705 .......................................................... 1909
# 2.402.705 .......................................................... 1909

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

 

 

Model  8 VF

# 2.700.323 ......................................................... 1913
# 2.700.323 ......................................................... 1913

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

 

 

Model  VF

VERTICAL FEED  VF  with feed reverse lever button
VERTICAL FEED VF with feed reverse lever button

 

 

 

 

VERTICAL FEED

 

 

Model  VF

DAVIS VF  with feed reverse lever button
DAVIS VF with feed reverse lever button
# 2.740.054 .......................................................... 1914
# 2.740.054 .......................................................... 1914

 

 

 

 

VERTICAL FEED

 

 

Model  VF

# 2.788.080 .......................................................... 1915
# 2.788.080 .......................................................... 1915

 

 

 

 

VERTICAL FEED

 

 

Model  VF

#2.852.707 ................................................... after 1915
#2.852.707 ................................................... after 1915

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

 

 

Model  UF

# 3.023.166 .................................................. after 1915
# 3.023.166 .................................................. after 1915

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

 

 

Model  UF

# D 3.647.489 ............................................... after 1915
# D 3.647.489 ............................................... after 1915

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

 

 

Model  8VF

Application Filed May 29, 1914
Application Filed May 29, 1914

 

 

 

 

        1914

 

 

      US Patent

                for

Adjustable Tension Device

# 3.725.701 .................................................. after 1915
# 3.725.701 .................................................. after 1915

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

 

 

Model  VF

# 3.744.636 .................................................. after 1915
# 3.744.636 .................................................. after 1915

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

 

 

Model  VF

# 3.747.629 .................................................. after 1915
# 3.747.629 .................................................. after 1915

 

 

 

 

DAVIS

 

 

Model  VF

Underfeed  DAVIS Model M-E
Underfeed DAVIS Model M-E

 

 

 

 

 

 

"M-E"

sources:

http://needlebar.org/nbwiki/index.php?title=Davis

http://www.kelsew.info/Domestic/DavisVFmodels.html

Wikipedia

www.thayerrags.com

www.gingerbreadcottageliving.blogspot.co.uk

www.quiltingboard.com

blog.ninapaley.com

mysewingmachineobsession

The Sewing Machine Gazette

 The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Invention of the Sewing Machine

 by Grace Rogers Cooper