1882 Davis Model 2 High Arm Vertical Feed (HAVF)

     Today I'm sharing my 1882 Davis Model 2 High Arm Vertical Feed (HAVF) sewing machine.  It appears that Davis introduced the Model 1 HAVF in 1881.  By 1882 the Model 2 was introduced.  The main distinguishable feature between the two is the location of the stitch length adjuster knob.  The model 1 had the knob in the middle front of the head of the machine while they moved it to the top front of the head on the Model 2.  These years seem to be transitional years for Davis as both the LAVF and the HAVF were available. (see the post on my 1882 LAVF with Eagle decals).   The Davis advertisement below is from a publication in 1883.  

     I acquired this machine in the beginning of October of 2023.   Below are the pictures from the sellers ad.  As you can see it was hard to tell the condition of the machine from the pictures.  

     Here are some pics after unloading the machine from car the day of  purchase.   

      This machine had one repair that had to be made.  The thread takeup hook on the face of the machine had been broken at some point.  I didn't have a replacement on hand so I decided to try to fix the one on the machine.  I fabricated a new hook out of sheet metal and then welded it to the existing part.  The result works perfectly!  Below are some pics that were taken during the process.  

     This machine cleaned up rather easily.  I followed my normal process for cleaning the body for the machine and the metal bits.  Below is an example of  before and after.  

     Here are pics of the final results of the machine clean up.  Unfortunately, the pics had to be taken inside of my garage as this machine was completed during the winter months and the weather was bad enough that I didn't want to take the machine outside.  I have yet to clean up the table and irons on this machine which is why most of the pictures are only of the machine. Stay tuned for final results when I finish the cabinet!

Note: This machine did not come with it's coffin top lid.  If someone has the proper lid and is willing to let it go please let me know!!