(Note: these sets
are not a part of this collection, but have been presented for educational
purposes)
Information
and a disclaimer (below) on this
page updated 10/28/2007
Comparative
Anatomy: Later 1850's and 1861 versions of sets by George Tiemann.
The 1861 set was civilian issue, most likely produced in the early days of
the Civil War, prior to those produced for the military versions for the
Medical or Hospital Department.
The
instruments and case are marked "G. Tiemann, 63 Chatham St"
New-York, which would date the manufacture of these sets between 1855 to
1864. (Tiemann Catalog). Edmonson's book shows:
George Tiemann & Co. (George Tiemann, Frederick A. Stohlmann, and Edward
Pfarre) surgical instruments
Of note:
the two major amputation knife blades in the earlier set are the curved downward style
and unusually thin in width compared to those in the
Tiemann c. 1850 ivory set shown on this
site or in the post 1860s. The curved blades would indicate an earlier
1850's date. But, the
small capital saw, which does not have the vertical blade slots like an 1850
vintage saw, points to post 1850. The label address would limit the date
to a pre-1855 time frame. So, a manufacture date would most likely be in
1850-1855 for the earlier set. The shape of the amputation knives in the
later set points to the 1860's date, with the same capital saw style, so
most likely early 1861.
Another
point of interest about the blades of the amputation knives is they look
almost exactly like those in a Reinhardt set in the Waring Historical Library
in Charleston, SC. That set is in Edmonson's book, page 294, fig. 250.
I examined this set personally and the knives are also thin and have the reverse curve
just like this earlier Tiemann set. Is it possible Tiemann made the instruments
for Reinhardt? Tiemann is known to have provided material for other
lesser known makers.
c. 1855
Tiemann set
Click on
any photo to enlarge
The external case is very much
like the style of the 1850 ivory case.
Note the brass bands not found on the later set below.
Note in the above right photo, the
downward curve of the lower two amputation blades, which is the earlier style.
Also, note the very delicate, thin blade width of the lower two blades.
Note the different ferrules of the
amputation knives. The top one is later, the lower two
are early and normal for an 1960 set, but all three seem to
fit exactly in the slots.
Note the similarities with the
earlier 1850 saw from the 1850 ivory Tiemann set.
The tourniquet has the original cloth
strap and pad.
There are two sizes
of trephines in the earlier set, with the early style crowns.
Now compare this set to an
1864 surgical set by Tiemann
as well as the extensive set below, which was produced at the start of the Civil
War.
c. 1861
Tiemann set
|
Disclaimer: I was not
able to personally examine the c. 1860 Tiemann surgery set
on display below other than by the photos and information
supplied by the present owner and I make no guarantee as to its
authenticity or ownership by any individual during the Civil
War. The present owner supplied the information to me via
email about the set and the 'surgeon owner'. I cannot
verify or deny any provenance supplied by the owner of this set
or the origin of any of the associated provenance. I have
no reason to suspect any claims made by the owner are not true.
(Michael Echols, Oct. 28, 2007) |
Photos and
information below
courtesy of owner of the set, Catherine Blocker.
Click on
any photo to enlarge
The following is a
much more extensive set c. 1860-61, most likely made during the early
days of the
Civil War given the presence of war-time instruments such as male sounds and
bullet forceps. The key to the dating is again the 63 Chatham address
and the presence of the unique capital saw with the distinctive handle, the
bullet forceps, male sounds, as well at the variations in the knife blades.
Note the civilian style case as opposed
to a military case with sliding latches. The brass cartouche is not
marked
The address for
Tieman is the 63 Chatham location, consistent with pre-War and War time
There are only two male sounds in this
set as opposed to a full set of sounds and catheters usually found in
military sets.
Among the
instruments is a fleam marked 'Snowden', and Tiemann curved esophageal and bullet
forceps
The tourniquet strap is not original, but appears to be a replacement made of leather rather
than cloth
Note the amputation
blades are no longer thin and curved, but straight, and more typical of later Civil War
era design.
Note the pre-Civil
War style trephine crown (non-Galt) and only one size.
