Tale of the Two Todds.

Not for the first time, I once again discuss my observations on a particular machine within these pages. This time, attention falls on the nineteenth century model known as Todd's Champion of England.
The machine itself enters into the rarish category and most collectors are overjoyed to add one to their shelves.

The history of the machine is somewhat elusive with speculation as to its origin not yet proven. What we do know is that the design was patented in the UK in 1873 by London Patent Agent Alexander Melville Clark, from a communication by Charles Rhodes Goodwin of Paris, France. The name "Todd's Champion of England" was later registered in use from that same year by Edwin Todd.
Todd, 41 years old in 1873 and originally from Norfolk, was the front man for The American Sewing Machine Company, which appeared to have been in operation since 1864. Extant machines are marked on the shuttle cover plate "American S M Co, London" and the "Todd's" trade mark logo. Also of note, some include a French patent stamp.

Those of you who know me will appreciate that I've always liked to observe differences between examples of the same model. I have long contested that it appears almost impossible to find two of any given model totally alike. Variations usually encompass items such as bobbin winders, thread tension arrangements, etc. Occasionally, more radical developments take place within a model, and we can rightly ascribe a definite chronological progression. In effect, machines can be known as Mk.1, Mk.2, etc. Such indeed is the case with Todd's Champion. Two distinct variants exist with the later showing clear improvements over the first.
Todd Mk.1
Mk.1 version with its over-fussy lever system.
Todd Mk.2
Mk.2 shows the improved rack and pinion
direct drive cam.
Standing the two side by side, the first thing one notices is the overall size difference. The Mk.2 has undergone a serious amount of steroid treatment. This is a typical development trend of the period, and in this instance the result is an approximate 15% size increase. Interestingly, the machine head sits on the same base casting. "Adequate" must have been the conclusion here!
The two Todds.
The size difference between the two models
is clearly visible.
On the engineering side, some major lateral thinking resulted in tidying up the shuttle drive mechanism. Let me briefly explain. Both models incorporate the same unusual shuttle carriage drive, i.e. a rack and pinion system. The rack moves in a transverse fashion, which in turn drives the fixed bearing pinion, above which a semicircular oscillating motion is created for the shuttle. The shuttle itself is a crescent 'boat style' which neatly fits into a circular race.

The UK patent of 1873 is well worth a look. Both illustrations
show the Mk.1 machine. The rack and pinion drive, visible
in fig.7, remains the same in the later Mk.2 model.

The Mk.1 machine features a bearing-cam midpoint along the bottom drive shaft. This in turn drives a pivoted long arm lever, which then powers the rack.
The Mk.2 machine dispenses with this over-engineered design. A fixed cam on the bottom shaft directly behind the rack, (which now incorporates inbuilt cam guides), is employed.
As an aside, I cannot remember ever seeing another domestic machine using a rack & pinion for shuttle motion. I do recall a William F. Thomas patent from 1874 suggesting a similar arrangement, but that's about it.

 
Last but not least, the Mk.2 features a drive disengagement pin in the main drive wheel, allowing bobbin wind without other parts in motion - a common improvement, but not overlooked by Todd.

G.D. August 1999.

Update May 2002.
Research is never straightforward!
I recently came across one of the larger Mk.2 machines which still incorporated the earlier mechanism for powering the rack. I feel we can assume this was a transitional model.

article revised 2005.

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