The Davis Vertical Feed is a fascinating sewing machine that does not have feed dogs. Fabric is advanced by the needle and presser foot. See photo at left courtesy of Susan J.

This page was created by the Davis VF Yahoo group as an aid for collectors in identifying their machine models and finding out what versions of shuttles and needles they use. The Davis VF Yahoo group no longer esists, but there is a Davis VF fan group on Facebook. Information on this page has been updated by other collectors in subsequent years.

The following model names were taken from The Encyclopedia of Antique Sewing Machines by Charles Law.

Model date ranges provided by Jon Helig.



Davis VF Models     Davis VF Decals     Davis VF Shuttles     Davis VF Needles    

Low Arm Vertical Feed (LAVF) 1868-1882

LAVF

LAVF Features:

Top disk tension

Short boat shuttle

Bobbin winder on treadle stand

Open right end

Belt pulley inside hand wheel


Early version, T shaped pillar


Photo courtesy of Rob Andre Stevens,  SN 37278,  c. 1873



LAVF

Later version, flared pillar


Photo courtesy of Jerry in Salem, OR
SN 187424

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



High Arm Vertical Feed (HAVF) 1882-1885/86

HAVF

HAVF Features:

Top disk tension

Boat shuttle

Bobbin winder on treadle stand

Belt pulley inside hand wheel

Base has sharp square corners



Photo courtesy of Jerry in Salem, OR
SN 325481

 

 

 



New High Arm Vertical Feed (VF1) 1885/86-1894

VF1

VF1 Features:

Top disk tension

Boat shuttle

Belt pulley inside hand wheel

Bobbin winder on pillar


Early machines have sharp square bed corners



Photo courtesy of Jerry in Salem, OR
SN 389942

 

 



VF1

Later machines have rounded bed corners


Photo courtesy of Kelly in PA
SN 535379

 

 


 

VF1

Some later machines have leaf tension


Photo courtesy of Jim at Steelsewing
SN 565860

 

 


 

VF1 Portable (VF1 HC)

VF1

Photo Courtesy of Susan Mullis
SN 361898















VF2 1894-1912

VF2

VF2 Features:

Front disk tension with manual release

Bullet shuttle

Bobbin winder on pillar

Belt pulley outside hand wheel

Base has rounded corners



Photo courtesy of Jerry in Salem, OR
SN 1063694

 

 



VF2 Portable (VF2 HC)

VF2HC

 

Photo courtesy of Jerry in Salem, OR
SN 791504

New Vertical Feed (NVF) 1912-1924

NVF

NVF Features:

Front disk tension with auto release

Bullet shuttle

Bobbin winder on pillar

Rounded body shape

Belt pulley outside hand wheel

Base has rounded corners

 


Photo courtesy of Jerry in Salem, OR,  SN 2787019