GeorgeTiemann
Finnel's Post-Mortem Surgical Set, c.1860
An 1860 Finnell's post-mortem set by
George Tiemann & Co., New York. This set could easily have been in
use during the Civil War and certainly shows use due to blood stains
left on the saw and large knife blade.
Tiemann was at the 63 Chatham
address prior to and during the Civil War until 1864. The white
background label in this set is the earlier version from that period.
Tiemann instruments
in 1860-61 amputation sets
Tiemann & Co. 1855-63/64: 63 Chatham and 44 Eldridge.
The Rosewood case
measures (7 7/8 x 4 x 1 5/8 in.) with a red velvet lining. There
is not engraving on the brass name plate. The case is keyed. There
is a removable cross-hatched ebony and brass handle with a saw and large
knife which attach by a threaded screw in the handle. The ferrule
of the handle is exactly like those seen on 1860 amputation knives,
serving to help date the set the the 1860 range.
Rosewood case
Tiemann maker label: No. 63 Chatham
St.
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Instrument list from
Tiemann's c.1870's catalog: A Finnell's Post Mortem Set,
PRICE $12.50 |
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1. Amputating Knife; 2.
With Saw; 3. Handle to fit the above; 4. (3) Ebony Handle
Scalpels assorted; 4. Steel Handle Cartilage Knife; 5. pair
of Straight Dissecting Scissors; 6. Ebony or Steel Handle
Tenaculeum; 7. set of Heavy Chain Hook; 8. German Silver
Blowpipe; 9. pair of Dissecting Forceps;10. (2) Needles and
Thread; 11. Chisel; 12. Rosewood Case with lock and key
lined with velvet |
Post-mortem saw (With removable handle) Post-mortem knife
Dating note:
the brass ferrule on the handle is exactly like those used
by
Tiemann
on instruments in their 1860-61 amputation sets
The knife and saw metal is blood-stained from
the
salt-content in blood
Dissection scissors, German silver blow-pipe, bone
chisel
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Dissection
scissor |
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Dissection tweezer |
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(3) Ivory handled: scalpels
(2) Steel handled: cartilage
knife and tenaculeum |
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Heavy retraction chain hooks
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