James G. Weir

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The Weir:

James Galloway Weir started retailing sewing machines c1867 from premises at 2 Carlisle Street, Soho, London. He sold a range of machines including one called The American, this was actually produced by Charles Raymond, Guelph, Canada and by 1871 Weir was selling this machine under his own name as Weirs 55/- sewing machine.

In 1872 Weir patented various improvements to Raymonds machine including a redesigned bobbin holder and helical gears which made the machine quieter. Initially it is thought Weir modified Raymond machines at premises in Belmont Street, London. The modified machine became Weirs 55/- sewing machine and the unimproved Raymond machine was renamed The Globe and was sold for 42/-.

In 1876 Weir with six others set up the Automatic Machinery Co. Ltd the Articles of Association refer to it manufacturing every kind of machinery particularly sewing machines. Weir received 1500 shares in the new company in return for an unspecified number of family machines then being made as well as the tools used to produce them. The establishment of the new company effectively brought the arrangement with Charles Raymond to an end.

The location of the factory was at Ferdinand Place, Chalk Farm Road, which was given as the address of three of the shareholders all of whom were listed as engineers. The company was not a success and at a meeting of shareholders at Fredinand Place on 24th September 1878 it was resolved that the company be voluntarily wound up. In all probability Weir would have bought up the assets of the company and continued to produce machines until he retired from the business c1889.

The example above is Raymond's Family chain-stitch machine which was sold as "Weir's 55s sewing machine", we believe the machine dates to the mid 1870's. It has J. G. Weir stamped on the needle-plate together with Weir's shop address 2 Carlisle Street London.

The Globe

This is an example of The Globe probably produced by Weir at Ferdinand Place, London. The basic design is exactly the same as the machine shown above however it is later and has some minor differences note inparticular the base, gone is the scroll with its boss for a clamp instead the base is cast as a solid lump. The other obvious change is lever to lift the presser foot , this has been simplified.

I have only come across one other example with these modifications and would be interested in obtaining any advertising material showing this particular version.

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