Remington Arms Company lock-stitch sewing machine, 1870.

Original Remington Arms lock-stitch sewing machine head: the 'Empire' model of 1870, by the Remington Arms Company, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 1870.

Original Remington Arms lock-stitch sewing machine head: the 'Empire' model of 1870. 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. Manufacture of smallarms and sewing machines employed many similar production techniques, so sewing machine manufacture was a natural and useful way of diversifying for the Remington company.