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Earlier today, a cutler I know, asked me, by email, if if I could give him some information on an old knife he had. The knife in question bore the name of the famous London surgical instrument makers, John Weiss & Son, though, for various reasons, I think it was very probably made in Sheffield.
For those who might come across anything made by Weiss, I thought I'd paste in the part of my reply which deals with the history of the company. Hopefully, it can then be found by those searching for information:
John Weiss & Son was founded by John Weiss, who was born Johann Daniel Weiss, in Rostock, Germany in 1773. He was the son of Georg Bernhard Jacob Weiss and Anna Elizabeth Wamcross. After moving to London, Weiss, a third generation cutler, established the company at 42 Strand, London, in 1787. Weiss soon moved into the production of surgical instruments, and is credited with the invention of a particular amputation saw. He married Mary Kirby in 1805, and they went on to have both a son, Frederick Foveaux, and a daughter, Mary. Between 1811 and 1822, they were at 33 Strand, and listed in trade directories as a maker of surgeon's instruments and razors.
The following year, 1823, they published their first catalogue, and were at 62 Strand, where they were listed as a cutlers, in addition to a maker of surgeon's instruments. Within two years, the John Weiss & Son catalogue ran to 126 pages. John Weiss naturalised in 1826, though he still maintained strong German connections, being recommended as an Honourary Freeman of Rostock that same year. He also won Royal acclaim in Britain, and was designated 'Razor Maker to the King' under William lV (1765-1837). He also supplied officers of the British Army. Weiss additionally had an interest in veterinary instruments, producing a new type of fleam, for example.
In 1831, John's son, Frederick Foveaux joined the firm, taking over, after his father's death in 1843.
Weiss & Son exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851, their central exhibition piece being in the shape of a cross, and containing 1851 Weiss instruments. It is similar in appearence to the great exhibition pieces produced by the likes of Joseph Rodgers of Sheffield. The company won a Prize Medal at the exhibition. Weiss also exhibited at the 1862 International Exhibition, and their fame was such that they are mentioned by name in the Sherlock Holmes novel 'The Adventure of Silver Blaze'.
In 1868, the company moved to 287 Oxford Street, where they had workshops, as well as a showroom. This was above the famous London showroom of Mappin & Webb of Sheffield. In 1856 they moved to 17 Wigmore Street, London, which was handy for the Harley Street trade. At the same time, their workshops were moved to Bowling Green Lane in Farringdon. Weiss & Son became a limited company in 1899.
In 1971, John Weiss & Son Ltd was acquired by Clement Clarke, and the two companies became part of the Haag-Streit Group in 1989.
For those who might come across anything made by Weiss, I thought I'd paste in the part of my reply which deals with the history of the company. Hopefully, it can then be found by those searching for information:
John Weiss & Son was founded by John Weiss, who was born Johann Daniel Weiss, in Rostock, Germany in 1773. He was the son of Georg Bernhard Jacob Weiss and Anna Elizabeth Wamcross. After moving to London, Weiss, a third generation cutler, established the company at 42 Strand, London, in 1787. Weiss soon moved into the production of surgical instruments, and is credited with the invention of a particular amputation saw. He married Mary Kirby in 1805, and they went on to have both a son, Frederick Foveaux, and a daughter, Mary. Between 1811 and 1822, they were at 33 Strand, and listed in trade directories as a maker of surgeon's instruments and razors.
The following year, 1823, they published their first catalogue, and were at 62 Strand, where they were listed as a cutlers, in addition to a maker of surgeon's instruments. Within two years, the John Weiss & Son catalogue ran to 126 pages. John Weiss naturalised in 1826, though he still maintained strong German connections, being recommended as an Honourary Freeman of Rostock that same year. He also won Royal acclaim in Britain, and was designated 'Razor Maker to the King' under William lV (1765-1837). He also supplied officers of the British Army. Weiss additionally had an interest in veterinary instruments, producing a new type of fleam, for example.
In 1831, John's son, Frederick Foveaux joined the firm, taking over, after his father's death in 1843.
Weiss & Son exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851, their central exhibition piece being in the shape of a cross, and containing 1851 Weiss instruments. It is similar in appearence to the great exhibition pieces produced by the likes of Joseph Rodgers of Sheffield. The company won a Prize Medal at the exhibition. Weiss also exhibited at the 1862 International Exhibition, and their fame was such that they are mentioned by name in the Sherlock Holmes novel 'The Adventure of Silver Blaze'.
In 1868, the company moved to 287 Oxford Street, where they had workshops, as well as a showroom. This was above the famous London showroom of Mappin & Webb of Sheffield. In 1856 they moved to 17 Wigmore Street, London, which was handy for the Harley Street trade. At the same time, their workshops were moved to Bowling Green Lane in Farringdon. Weiss & Son became a limited company in 1899.
In 1971, John Weiss & Son Ltd was acquired by Clement Clarke, and the two companies became part of the Haag-Streit Group in 1989.
