Dille & McGuire Model A18R

Some images might help?

Dille and McGuire were a well known, long established general engineering company in Richmond, Indiana, USA, with origins dating back to the 1870's. In the late 1870's they developed their first lawnmower and went on to expand that side of the business, introducing many patents along the way. Perhaps their best known machine is The Richmond ' Star ' from the mid '80s which was also patented in England and exported to France and Germany as well. During the 1890's the company were promoting their lawnmowers worldwide.

In the late 1930's motor mowers were produced; the company also manufactured a wide range of mowers for retailers including Sears Roebuck. The first rotary lawnmower was produced in 1953. In 1964 D and M was sold to the Huffman Manufacturing Co in Dayton, Ohio where all lawnmower operations ceased in 1974.

So we can take it that your machine is likely to date between 1953 and 1964, perhaps a little later using existing parts. Interestingly the design of the deck in particular is reminiscent of the Qualcast Rotacut and Ransomes Typhoon both of that same era.

Anyone who has an interest in the history and development of lawnmowers in the USA really should have a copy of Club Member James Ricci's book ' Hand Horse and Motor ' which of course is available from the Club Shop.