American Civil War Surgical Antiques

(A Private Collection - Research and Identification Project)

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

Civil War Surgeon Education & Civil War Medical Text-books

Established 1995      .     Dr. Michael Echols

Preserving our American Civil War Medical and Surgical History

As seen in: Military Images, American's Civil War Magazine, Warman's Civil War Collectibles, Antique Week, Northeast Antiques, and various Antiques & Collecting publications

 

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Mid to Later - 1850's J. H. Gemrig Surgical Set

 

J. H. Gemrig was a surgical instrument maker in Philadelphia, Pa. during 1840 to 1881 in various forms (alone, with his brother, and with his son).  During the Civil War, Gemrig was a major supplier of surgical sets under contract to the Union forces.  His company was located at 48 N. 6th from 1841 to 1844, at S. 8th in 1845, 43 S, 8th from 1846 to 1865.   All dates are from the Directory of Makers and Dealers as listed by Edmonson in American Surgical Instruments: an Illustrated History:

J. H. Gemrig sets are wanted for this collection... complete or partial sets and instruments

 

Jacob H. Gemrig surgical instrument maker 1841-44: 48 N. 6th

1845: 49 S. 8th

1846-65: 43 S. 8th

1866-80: 109 S. 8th

This particular set, which dates to early 1850's

The non-slotted blade of the capital saw is indicative of a later design found during the late 1850's. 

The removable wood tray fits over the saws in the lower part of the case.  A feature is the presence of two lateral swivel latches in addition to the center key lock.  The key lock is typical of commercial sets, but not of military sets.  

The tourniquet is missing.

  • See an 1866 Gemrig catalog with diagrams of instruments.

  • See a comparison between this set and an early and later Gemrig set.

 

Single lift-out tray

 

Lifting-back metacarpal finger saw

 

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Direct links to all Collections on this site:

Surgical Set Collection...: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Medical Book Collection.: 1 | 1a | 2 | 2a | 3 | 3a | 4 | 4a | 5 | 5a | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9a | 10 | 11 | 12

Lecture Card Collection..: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19

Surgeon CDV images......: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

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

Hosp. Dept. bottles, tins.: 1 | 2 | 3 |

 

American Civil War Surgical Antiques 

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Site last updated: Friday, July 03, 2009