Abstract: In a sewing machine with cylindrical base the transport claws are actuated by a device comprising a kinematic transmission mechanism which, through oscillating auxiliary shafts, is connected to a rotating main shaft housed in the foundation to transmit a vertical oscillatory motion to the claws, as well as a lever transmission mechanism which, through transmission levers pivoting according to vertical axes, is interconnected to an auxiliary transport shaft housed in the foundation to transmit a horizontal reciprocating motion to the claws. A reduction in the size of the base of the sewing machine is thus obtained, without thereby penalizing the structural resilience and the operating reliability of the device for the actuation of the transport claws.