This set came up on
eBay in 2008 and I saved the photos for evaluation and discussion.
I do not own this set.
This is an unusual
post-sterilization set produced by George Tiemann & Co. c. 1881.
Of particular note is the mahogany case, which until it is opened, one
would think was pre-1860 judging by the brass banding, keyed lock, and
brass name plate.
On opening, the blue
velvet interior would be typical of post-Civil War sets, but the
presence of plated metal handles on the saw, amputation knives, and
absence of any non-sterilizable materials is the cardinal point of the
example. Tiemann would still put up their post-sterilization
instruments in pre-sterilization cases and interiors in 1881 as the era
of non-sterilization slowly passed.
