American Civil War Surgical Antiques

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

Civil War Surgical & Medical Books

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 Hernstein U.S. Army Trepanning Sets (2 sets: early and later)

A pair of rare and unusual military trepanning sets by H. Hernstein, New York City, N.Y.  The first is the earlier, c. 1861, as it is marked with a trade label indicating just H. Hernstein, N.Y. with the 393 Broadway address.  The label also indicates it is U. S. Army Hosp. Dept. issue.  There is no trade label in the second and later set.  Both sets are marked 'USA'.

Hermann Hernstein surgical instruments

1843: 3 Chambers

1844: Elizabeth cor. Hester

1845-48: 7 Hague

1850: no listing

1851-52: 68 Duane

1853-54: 81 Duane

1855-57: 81 Duane and 393 Broadway

1858: 81 Duane, 131 Mercer, and 393 Broadway

* 1859-61: 131 Mercer and 393 Broadway

Hermann Hernstein & Son (Hermann and Albert L. Hernstein) 1862-65: 131 Mercer and 393 Broadway

 

Hermann Hernstein & Son & Co. 1865: 2 Liberty and 393 Broadway

 

Hermann Hernstein & Co. 1866-67: 2 Liberty and 393 Broadway

 

Reference: Edmonson

 

The first set is engraved on the cartouche with " U S A"  and the label indicates the last year Hernstein would have used this label, which is the first year of the War.  The label also indicates the set was produced under contract for the U. S. Army Hosp. Dept.  Missing from this set is the scalpel and the lenticular/rasp.

 

   

 

"H. Hernstein, N. Y, Surgical Instruments, 393 Broadway, U. S. ARMY, Hosp. Dept."

 

Top: the earlier set.  Bottom: the later set

Hardly any difference other than the upper set being fully engraved, and the lower is not

 

The partition with trade label is present in the earlier set, and is missing in the later set

 

   

   

 


 

 

The second trepanning set was found with two other Civil War, USA Hosp. Dept. marked and engraved sets.  What is unique about the later set, is the fact the brass plaque is carefully marked with an obvious drawing, but not actually engraved.  It appears that 'USA' was hand drawn on the plate with a thick ink, but it was never engraved. 

The 'USA' drawing is under the original lacquer, which appears to be undisturbed on the whole set.  It is not a military set by the usual definition as there is a key escutcheon and no sliding latches.    So why the USA?   I suspect it was an unsold set and just left the factory un-engraved.  ???

The mahogany, brass corner reinforced case measures 2 1/4 x 3 x 9 inches for both sets.  The scalpel and bone brush are missing from the second set.

 

 

 

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American Civil War Surgical Antiques 

Research notes and a private collection

 Pre-1865 Civilian & Civil War Military Surgical Antiques

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Site last updated: Friday, May 09, 2008