Domestic and King Sewing Machine Models (1863-1924)

This page shows examples of Domestic and King sewing machines made prior to the companies being purchased by White in 1924.

Domestic - King Model Comparison

Refer to this page to see an explanation of why King machines are included here and to view comparison photos of most models from multiple angles and a chart summarizing design features.

Domestic Wheel Feed

The Domestic Wheel Feed (VS) sewing machine was manufactured in the 1860s. It looked very similar to the Domestic High Arm shown below except that it had a wheel feed instead of feed dogs. I have never seen one and none have been reported to me. There is a photo of one in Carter Bays' The Encyclopedia of Early American & Antique Sewing Machines: Identification and Values. It was the subject of the 1866 lawsuit described on the Domestic Company History page.

Domestic High Arm

The Domestic High Arm Vibrating Shuttle (VS) sewing machine was manufactured in the early 1870s and was much more modern than its competitors and was the first true "high arm" machine. Some characteristic features are:

(Early - convex left end of arm, early leaf tension)

(Middle - concave left end of arm, early leaf tension)
Photo courtesy of Donna Kohler (modified with an automatic bobbin winder)

(Late - concave left end of arm, late leaf tenson)
Photo courtesy of Scott S

Domestic fiddlebase

Domestic produced the fiddlebase VS machine from 1875-1901. Some characteristics are:

Coming soon! Click here to see other decals and badge names

Domestic A and B Hand Cranks

Domestic manuals from the late 1870s mention a "Hand Machine, for invalids and travellers. On the "Domestic" system, with modifications". Presumably these were early versions of the Domestic A and B models. I have not found any ads for them.

The Domestic A and Domestic B hand cranks were manufactured from the late 1870's to the 1910s. They were smaller than the treadle heads. Design features include:

"Little Domestic", precursor to Domestic A, photo courtesy of Judy in BC (Note top disk tension).

Domestic A (Note top leaf tension)

Domestic B (Early Domestic B's might say "Reliable" on the arm instead of Domestic)

Domestic A and B comparison:

New Domestic

The next model was called the New Domestic, which was introduced in 1901 and likely ended with rollout of the Domestic D in 1909. Design features included:

Domestic C

The Domestic C was a lower priced model in the 1900s, approx 1901 to 1909.

  • rectangular base
  • leaf tension
  • no access plate on front of machine
  • vertical stitch length control lever on front of pillar (earlier machines) OR on bed in front of pillar (later machines)
  • top clamping feet (early), socket style feet (late)
  • SN located under front slide plate

    Domestic D

    The Domestic D was introduced in 1909 and made until 1915.

    Domestic Rotary, Type 1

    This rotary is very similar to a Standard Rotary (except for fiddlebase shape), and in fact appears to take the same bobbin and chainstitch spider. Design features included:

    Domestic Machines made in King Factory

    Click here for more info.

    Domestic Vibrator

    Domestic Vibrator machines were produced from 1915 into the 1930s. They were copies of the Singer Model 27/127 and were made by White after 1924. Some identifying features are:

    Domestic Rotary, Type 2

    This Domestic rotary has a last patent date of 1904, and all of the patents on the slide plate patents on the slide plate are identical to the dates on the King Rotary, Economy Rotary and Standard Rotary. Some identifying features of this model are:

    early

    late, note change in stitch length control

    Photo courtesy of M. Pantano; @dr0wsydruid

    Domestic Rotary, Type 3, Domestic 69 Hi-Speed Rotary

    This Domestic rotary has a last patent date of 1919, and was made from 1919 to 1924. Some identiying features are:

    Machines made by King SMCo for Sears, Roebuck & Co

    Click here for more info.

    Franklin VS

    The Franklin was a badged machine sold by Sears beginnging in 1911 and was made into the 1930s (by White after 1924). It was a copy of the Singer 27/127 and appears to be identical to the King VS. Design features include:

    Minnesota X

    The Minnesota X was a badged machine sold by Sears in 1912-1913. Design features include:

    Minnesota A

    The Minnesota A was a badged machine sold by Sears beginnging in 1913 and was made into the 1930s (by White after 1924). It appears to be identical to the New Willard. Design features include:

    photo courtesy of Jo Mercer (pre-1920)

    (1920+)

    Differences between Davis Minnesota A and King Minnesota A

    Click to view full size

    Minnesota H

    The Minnesota H was a badged machine sold by Sears beginnging in 1921 and was made into the 1930s (by White after 1924). It appears to be identical to the Lessing. Design features include:

    King SMCo Models

    King VS

    The King VS model was produced from 1908 into the late 1910s. They were copies of the Singer Model 27/127. Design features include

    King Rotary

    The King has a last patent date of 1904, and all of the patents on the slide plate patents on the slide plate are identical to the dates on the Domestic Rotary Type 2, Economy Rotary and Standard Rotary. Some identifying features of this model are:

    New Willard

    The New Willard was made from 1915 into the 1930s (by White after 1924). It appears to be identical to the Minnesota A. Design features include:

    Lessing

    The Lessing was made beginning in 1920 and sold into the late 1920s (the last ad I found was in 1927, so it seems likely that White just sold the remaining stock and never made this model). It appears to be identical to the Minnesota H. Design features include:

    Badged Domestic models found in advertisements in 1901

    The Conquest appears to be a badged Domestic C with a different leaf tension. There are no images of the Fireside or Treasure machines, but they are likely to look like a Domestic C or New Domestic.

    Conquest

    The following Conquest photos are courtesy of Elisa Kravchuk Jackson

    If you have photos of the Fireside or Treasure that you are willing to share, please email me with "Domestic Info" in the subject line.

    Fireside

    Treasure








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