American Civil War Medical & Surgical Antiques

(A Private Collection - Research and Identification Project)

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

Civil War Surgeon Education & Civil War Medicine Text-books

Established 1995 . . . Dr. Michael Echols

As seen in: Military Images Magazine, American's Civil War Magazine, Warman's Civil War Collectibles, Antique Week, Northeast Antiques, Civil War Army Swords, Civil War Times Illustrated, various TV programs, Antiques & Collecting publications

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A Comparison of 1850's and 1860's Gemrig Surgical Set

By Michael Echols

Comparing similar sets which are close in age can be a very learning experience. Examining these two sets which were made on either side of the Civil War is very interesting to see the similarities and differences.

The knives are about the same size and design in both eras, however the handles are heavier on the earlier 1850's set and thinner on the later 1860's set.

The 1860's capital and metacarpal saws are smaller in size than the earlier versions from the late 1850's.

Note the variation in the tourniquets, the earlier type has a heavy brass frame buckle, the later one does not have that feature. The bone forceps are very different as are the blades and handles of the capital saws.

See an 1866 Gemrig catalog with diagrams of instruments.

Links to additional photos 1860's set   1850's set

1860's Gemrig

1850's Gemrig

1860's Gemrig

lift out tray

1850's Gemrig

lift out tray

1860's Gemrig

16 1/4 x 6 3/4 x 3 1/8

1850's Gemrig

16 3/4 x 7 1/4 x 3

1860's Gemrig

knife handle is lighter and thinner

1850's Gemrig

knife handle is heavier and thicker

1860's Gemrig

metacarpal saw is smaller

1850's Gemrig

metacarpal saw is larger

1860's Gemrig

capital saw is smaller

1850's Gemrig

capital saw is larger with slots

1860's Gemrig

later smoother handle design

1850's Gemrig

earlier more ornate 'English' style design

1860's Gemrig

tourniquet with no brass buckle blued prongs

1850's Gemrig

tourniquet with brass buckle brass prongs

1860's Gemrig

later and larger Liston style bone forceps

1850's Gemrig

earlier and smaller Satterlee's bone forceps

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Medical Collections

Direct links to all medical & Civil War collections on this site

American Surgical Sets:        Pre-1861: 1 | 2 -    Civil War: 4 | 5 | 6 | 7    - Post-1865: 3

Medical Text-Books:

1 | 1a | 2 | 2a | 3 | 3a | 4 | 4a | 5 | 5a | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9a | 10 | 11 | 12

Medical Lecture Cards:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20

Surgeon CDV Images:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Medical Staff Swords:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17

Hosp Dept Bottles & Tins:

1 | 2 | 3 |

Currently Seeking to Purchase for this Collection

Partial or Incomplete surgical sets or instruments by: Snowden, Tiemann, Gemrig, Kolbe', Hernstein

Any medical instrument or book marked: U.S.A. / Hosp. Dep't. or U.S.A. / Med. Department

Medical Antiques Wanted List                             Contact Dr. Michael Echols

American Civil War Medical & Surgical Antiques

This site is an active on-going collection and research project. Additions are actively being sought. Information and evaluations on pre-1865 material are gladly provided to individuals, universities, authors, archivists, museums, libraries, auction houses, antique dealers, and researchers.

Students and teachers are welcome to use the content on this educational site for projects without permission. All others please request permission before publication. Material produced by Dr. Echols is copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Permission is gladly given, but please ask.

All content 'by Dr. Echols' and all original photography on this Web Site is copyrighted 1995 - 2010 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. Please note, information on this site may not be normally referenced as this is an active research project and content may not yet be properly cited for publication.

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Last update: Friday, March 12, 2010