c.
1830 George Tiemann Amputation Set
The earliest known
business location for George Tiemann was at 35 Chatham Street,
New York City, N.Y. from 1826 to 1832. (According to
Edmonson)
George Tiemann cutler
1826-32: 35 Chatham Street
1833-55: 63 Chatham Street (manufacturer of scissors and surgical
instruments beginning in 1841)
Reference:
Edmonson
This extremely rare set dates to Tiemann's earliest
production and is clearly one of the earliest examples seen from this maker.
The set contains instruments marked as 'Tiemanns' as well as some of his
immediate later
markings, which were just 'Tiemann'. Edmonson's book features a
similar saw made of ivory, which is attributed to 'Tiemanns' with an 1830
date. (See page 41, Edmonson)
The mahogany case measures (17 3/4 x 7 x 2 1/2
inches). There are cast brass bands at all corners as well as hand-cut
brass supporting straps
mid-length. The brass cartouche is not engraved.
The saw is early European in design with
the pistol trigger feature. The amputation knives are typical of those
from American makers of the period with slight reverse curve, blunt tip, and
heavy handles. The interior of the wood case is lined in purple velvet.
There are two pieces missing from the set:
a small ivory handled suture instrument (between the tenaculum and finger saw) and the
heavy bone forceps under the saw.
|
Back side |
Top front |
Bottom covered with burlap fabric |
The tip of the saw is long so there is a slot cut into the left side of the case
to hold it in place
Note the 'Tiemanns' N-YORK mark on the
capital saw
Finger saw
Ivory tenaculum
Note the sliding latch and crosshatching, which is hand-cut on the forceps and is
marked 'Tiemanns'
|
Look at this similar tissue forceps in a c.
1829 Rose set.
Rose and Tiemann were located near each other in NY. |
 |
Large, medium, and catlin amputation knives
The photos below are showing the same
markings 'Tiemanns' and ferrules
The tourniquet
is extremely large and heavy. Note use of N-YORK for
the address, but G. 'Tiemann' for the name. The unique
large heavy cast frame locking device supports the cast
locking prongs into the original strap.
Compare this set to a
Gemrig set of the same era
Points of comparison for the
amputation knives
I just happened to have a set
of early Tiemann
amputation knives and instruments that were not a part of this set. Shown below is the
largest of the two knives, the lower from the set above. The interesting
point is that the other set of knives have much heavier handles than the knives
from this set. ?The question is: which set of knives are earlier?
Usually the earlier knives have heavier handles, but this set has a much thinner
handle on the large knife (but still very heavy compared to later knives) than
those in this set. Since all the knives were custom made, it could relate
to the size of the surgeon's hands for whom the set was made. Sets during
this time were custom ordered, there was no mass production.
The knife at the top has the thicker
handle and is also marked 'Tiemann'. The lower knife from this set and
marked 'Tiemanns'.
