Snowden &
Brother, Civil War Military Capital Surgical Set
Note: Capital sets with four
tiers are obviously larger than small three tier sets. Capital sets would have been
used in rear
areas or hospitals.
Snowden & Brother (George and
Henry) were one of the major suppliers to the U.S. Army before and during the
Civil War. This four tier capital set with military latches is from during
the later years of the War.
The marking 'Snowden & Brother.' at N. 5th, occurs only during and four years before
the War.
The brass cartouche appears
to have been ground down and polished. It is not unusual to find a blank brass name plate
to have been reversed or altered after the War to hide the ownership. Surgeon's or a
dealer may not have wanted anyone to know their set came from the Army and
turned the brass plate over. The
brass plate is wavy and there are two brass pins in place as is the
Snowden field set on this site.
I have only seen this pinning on Snowden sets. More than likely this is a U.S. Army Medical Dept. issued set as it
is almost exactly like the
other Medical
Department set on this site.
Obviously the set is missing
a few parts, (bone saw, bullet forceps, scalpels, drill points, etc.) ,but it is what it is
and the way it was found. There is no question about it's
origins or intended use given the presence of the heavy bone cutting forceps,
bullet forceps, male sounds, and military latches. Some of
the instruments may have been replaced with those from another similar set as was
the custom during the war. It is documented in the General Orders that If parts were lost or broken, more were ordered
or replace, possibly from other sets that were returned to the storekeepers.
Given how valuable and the limited supply of these sets, they were well
maintained.
Snowden & Bro. (George P. [1832-?] and Henry C. [1838-?] Snowden become
partners I July 1858; William Snowden [1840?]
becomes partner I January 1866; Henry C. retires in May,
1872
and sells interest to George) surgical instrument makers
1858-64: 15 N. 5th
1864-72: 23 S. 8th
(Edmonson)
A typical
Civil War military mahogany case with brass sliding latches
The engraving has
been ground off the brass plate. Snowden & Brother maker label with the No. 15
North Fifth St. address
Composite of all instruments in the set
Lifting-back metacarpal saw
Cross-leg artery forceps
Heavy duty cartilage knife
A small delicate trocar with point cover and drain
Tenaculeum and two bistouries
Silver suture wire, bone wax, silk and
straight cutting suture needles
Handle for a Brainard bone drill, (missing the drill tips)
One heavy retractor, marked Snowden
Director for a knife and tissue forceps
Set of heavy bone forceps
2
urinary track sounds. 3 silver catheters, 2 French gum catheters with
ivory collars
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Snowden & Brother's pre-War (1860) catalogue
shows they were importers of French gum catheters |
 |
Saw blade to use to check for correct capital saw
 
Hey saw, trephine with handle, bone brush,
Crown of the trephine and Snowden mark on the
Hey saw
Typical Civil War years blued
cast iron buckle, red & white woven strap and
unmarked brass frame tourniquet
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