The Machines of W. J. Harris

The Premier English Distributor

by Alan Quinn & Claire Sherwell


W. J. Harris was a company based in London which distributed sewing machines to retailers. They did not produce any sewing machines on their own account, but 'badged' machines made by many other makers with the Harris name.

Harris sold machines from many makers in several countries, including the German Grimme Natalis, Stoewer, Frister & Rossmann and L.O. Dietrich companies, and the American New Home and National/Eldredge companies. They also sold badged British Jones and Japanese machines.

The company was founded in the 1870's and continued in the sewing machine business until at least 1960. It is said that the current incarnation of the Harris company is 'Mothercare', a large British company of chain stores selling goods for babies and young children.

This page lists some of the model designations used by the Harris company and shows the actual makers of the machines where known.

The list is not complete so expect new machines and information to be added from time to time.

Note: The pictures in this section have been derived from many sources over a long period of time. If any of your pictures appear here and you require acknowledgement, please let me know and I will comply. I will not reply to any posts asking for values or 'information' - Alan Quinn


Model Designation

Maker

Model Type

Dates

Thumbnail Images (click on image for more and larger pictures)

Harris Defiant

Lehnmann (formerly Baach & Klie)

-

-

Harris 1

New Home

Greyhound 'P'

-

Harris 1H

Haid & Neu

Excella

-

Harris 2H

Haid & Neu

-

1937 (Dated Warranty)

Harris Family No. 2

Stoewer

-

-

The Harris

Stoewer

-

1914

Harris Premier

Stoewer

-

-

Harris Premier No. 2

Stoewer

-

-

Harris Defiance No. 3

Lehnmann (formerly Baach & Klie)

-

-

Harris 3

New Home

Model 'T, Type 2'

-

Harris 4

Stoewer

-

-

Harris 5

Standard Sewing Machine Company

Hexagon

1920s

Harris 5 (a)

New Home Sewing Machine Company

Greyhound 'P'

1916

Harris 9

?

-

-

Harris 9C

R. Lehnmann

-

-

Harris 9G

?

-

-

Harris 9H (a)

?

-

-

Harris 9H (b)

?

-

-

Harris 34H

?

-

1939 (dated receipt)

Harris's

Bernhardt Stoewer

-

1910

Harris B

Eldredge/National

Disc Tension Type I

-

Harris E

Jones

Family CS

1931

Harris K

Haid & Neu

Saxonia-type

-

Harris S

Haid & Neu

Saxonia-type

-

Harris Class 15

?Brother

CB

1950s

Harris CB

?Brother

CB

c.1960


© Alan Quinn 2001. All Rights Reserved
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