American Civil War Surgical Antiques

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Comparison of a late 1850's to an 1861 G. Tiemann surgical set

 By Dr. Michael Echols

(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

  •  1855-63/64: 63 Chatham and 44 Eldridge

  •  1863/64-71: 67 Chatham and 44 Eldridge

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.

mvc-262s.jpg (36864 bytes)   mvc-263s.jpg (55918 bytes)

The company mark is 'G Tiemann', on the saw, instruments marked this way were made between 1833 - 1855. ( P. 64 Tiemann Catalog)

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.

 

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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.

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Site last updated: Friday, May 09, 2008