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"crown type" yarn feed. The serial number was stamped in several places on the 1866 machine as well as on a round button on the right end of the carriage.
       The spring type yarn feed on the 1870 machine patented in 1869, Lamb Patent No. 95,200, was invented by John Crandell. The 1870 machine had the serial number on the button and one other place on the needle bed.

       The spring type yarn feed above is pictured beside the patent drawings of the assembly. The picture also shows the counter, tension adjusting knobs and the latch openers.

       The stenciling was more elaborate on the 1870 machine and was placed on the small accessories where practical. Parts of the winder with changes in stencil design are shown below.
       The yarn guide was a stand alone unit with features to hold three bobbins.
       When the Lamb Flatbed Knitters are demonstrated for a group, folks marvel that this machine from 1863 technology is capable of so many variations in knitted product. I tell people that the machine was making socks in time to make a pair for Abraham Lincoln. A Lamb advertisement from about 1870 claims "Pair of Socks Complete in Thirty Minutes" and "Knits Over Twenty garments". The price for the Class 1 Flatbed complete with all extras was $60.00. A polished black walnut table with drawer and cast-iron legs sold for $8.00.
      Sales literature claimed "The Lamb Machine has taken Highest Premiums, Gold and Silver Medals, at all Agricultural and Mechanical Exhibitions including the Paris Exposition of 1867." A pocket size book of thirty pages published by Lamb listed 7 Gold, 11 Silver, and 3 Bronze Medals. Sixteen state fairs were listed that awarded "Diplomas" in the period 1865 to 1870.
       Dr. Richard Candee has a growing register of 43 Lamb Flatbed Knitting Machines. Contact Dr. Candee at rcandee@maine.rr.com if willing to add your name to the list of owners.