H. Hernstein of New York, was located at 393 Broadway during
the Civil War, he produced surgical sets before, during, and after the Civil War
period. Shown here is an example of a basic, but complete, amputation set
of the type which would have been used in the field by the North. Noting the
forceps are marked U. S. A. Hosp. Dep't. and the
latches
are typical bilateral military issue as well as the re-enforced brass screwed
lid on the case, which is typical to only military issued sets so they could
withstand the rigors of War.
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
The top of the case is not government marked, but it is
likely the reverse of the plaque is marked. I don't have the guts to remove
it to look. I have seen that some of the cases made for the military had
the blank side of the plaque showing as the sets may have been sold to the
medical community and the U.S.A. Hosp Dep't marking is on the reverse and
hidden.
The frame of the capital saw is typical of the design used by
French instrument maker Charriere. See a
comparison
of a military vs a civilian set from the Civil War. Also see a
major field set by this same maker.
