The Empire Sewing Machine Company made this model from about 1860. In 1870 the United States Remington Small Arms Company took over the company but continued to make this model until 1873. The shape of the base is the same as that of the first typewriter made by Remington. After the American Civil War (1861-1865) fewer guns were required. Manufacture of smallarms and sewing machines employed many similar production techniques and machine tools, and so sewing machine manufacture was a natural industrial development for many companies like Remington.
© Science Museum / Science & Society Picture Library