American Civil War Surgical Antiques

Research - Identification - Consultations

Civil War Era Surgical Kits, Surgeon's Swords & Images

Civil War Surgical & Medical Books

Established 1995

 

  Surgery Set Evaluations |  Main page  |  Search  |  Site map

 Civil War Surgery Set Displays  |  Pre & Post Civil War Surgery Set Displays  |  Topic Indexes  |  Contact Dr. Echols

 Medical Lecture Cards | Reference Books  |  Civil War Medical Books  | Surgeon Images & Swords  

 

Wanted to Buy List

Pre-1865: Surgery Sets, Medical Textbooks, Medical College Lecture Cards

The Private Collections of

Dr. Michael Echols

Evaluations & Consultations

Provided at No-Charge for Pre-1865 Surgery Sets, Instruments, Medical Textbooks

 

Dating American antique surgical bone saws by comparative anatomy

Civil War set amputation saws

By Dr. Michael Echols

Sometimes it is difficult to peg the date of a given saw, but if it is in the context of a set, with a maker label, and other instruments, (especially the blade and handles of the knives), it helps with the decision.  When purchasing a saw outside of a set, it can be difficult to exactly peg the date, even with the maker name.  The following American maker sets are listed from early to later.  The idea is to associate the saw in the context of the other instruments and labels in the set as well as an address on the label.  The other little piece of information is to know WHEN the maker was in business and that information is sometimes in Edmonson's book, or from Dr. Echols.

See similar articles on dating tourniquets, saws, bone forceps, forceps, or amputation knives.

Typical Civil War amputation saws

Identification of Civil War Military surgical sets: USA Hosp. and Medical Dept.

This is not 'all' types of saws seen in Civil War surgical sets, just 'typical' 1862-65.

Gemrig

Phila.

Tiemann & Co.

N. York

Hosp. Dept.

Gemrig/Phila.

U.S.A.

Various amputation saws from pre- and post- Civil War sets for comparison

c. 1829 Geo. Tiemann.  Note the pistol trigger style, which is very European.  This is one of the earliest Tieman style of saw.
c. 1829 Rose.  Note the hook on the handle.  Similar to English styles of the period.  Knife blade of top knife is curved and handles are large and heavy.
c. 1840 Wocher.  Note the round handle.  Similar to English and French styles of the period.  Knife blades are curved, handles are heavy and large.
c. 1840 Gemrig.  Note the split butt of the saw handle.  The knife blades are curved and very heavy handled.  Common into the 1850 time frame.
c. 1846 Goulding.  Note this saw has a brass frame and handle, but is similar in design to the Rose above.  Transitional knives, some slightly curved, most are straighter than earlier blades.
c. 1850's Tiemann.  Note the vertical slots in the blade for bone dust relief.  Knife blades are now straight, no curves.
c.1850's Parker 'D' style handles.  The upper saw is by Martin, Albany, N.Y., and the lower is by Tiemann, New York City, N.Y.  The upper is the later design, c. 1855-60, without the vertical slots, the lower ivory handled saw is earlier, c. 1845-55.
c. 1864 Tiemann.  Saw handle is typical of military and civilian issue during the Civil War.  This form of handle and blade was common by various makers into the 1880's.  The knife blades are long and slim, no longer thick, curved and heavy.
c. 1860's Tuefel.  More of a early European style of handle with the pistol trigger feature.  Knives are long, slightly wider, and straight.
c. 1861- 4 Hernstein.  Typical Civil War military style set by a supplier to the Union Hospital Department.
c. 1861- 4 Hernstein.  Smaller Civil War military set made for the Union Hospital Department.   Note the open frame of the saw and removable blade.  Two blades are shown.
c. 1861- 4 Gemrig U. S. Army Hosp. Dept. marked open bow saw
c. 1861- 4 Kolbe.  Another style of open bow frame saw with removable blade.   Clearly a military issue set by a major Civil War maker.
c. 1863 Tiemann Civil War issue Hosp. Dept. set.  Note the circle in front of the saw handle, which shows up after the War into the 1880's.
c. 1861 Wade & Ford.  Civilian issue set  made during early days of the Civil War.  Handle is English style, similar to Hutchinson.
c. 1876 Gemrig.  Long straight knifes.  Hog leg handled saw.
c. 1870's Shepard and Smith
c. 1880 Aloe and Hernstein.  Note the Civil War influence on the design of the saw, which can be deceiving.  Metal is plated.
c. 1883 Sharp and Smith.  Again that Civil War looking saw made into the late part of the century.  Deceptive if you are just looking at the saw and not the label in the set which accurately dates the set.
c. 1880's Helmold.  An earlier looking shape to the saw, but again the maker label and the other instruments indicate a later date.

 

 

 

 Main page  |  Search  |  Site map

 Civil War Surgery Set Displays  |  Pre & Post Civil War Surgery Set Displays  |  Topic Indexes  |  Contact Dr. Echols

Medical Lecture Cards | Reference Books  |  Civil War Medical Books  | Surgeon Images & Swords  

 

 

American Civil War Surgical Antiques 

Research notes and a private collection

 Pre-1865 Civilian & Civil War Military Surgical Antiques

This site contains the personal notes and collection of private collector Michael Echols.  Dr. Echols is not a dealer and nothing on this site is for sale.   All content 'by Dr. Echols' and all photography on this Web Site is copyrighted 1995 - 2008 and may not be used on any other web site or in print without the expressed e-mail permission from Dr. Echols:  Contact   All rights reserved.  Information gladly provided to dealers, authors, magazines, archivists, museums, and researchers.  Please reference and link this website to any on-line or printed use.

   Students and teachers are welcome to use the content on this educational site for reports or projects without permission.  All others please request permission first as everything on the site written or produced by Dr. Echols is copyrighted and all rights are reserved.  Thank you!

Links to this site are welcomed

 

Site last updated: Friday, May 09, 2008