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Gemrig's Locking Suture Forceps

A simple locking suture forceps from the 1866 Gemrig catalogue with needle

This image is from the 1866 Gemrig catalogue proving the existence of a locking suture forceps during the Civil War.  The forceps is similar to the more common sequestrum or dressing forceps, commonly found in pocket kits.  The significance of this image is that it shows how the smaller suture needles were locked into the forceps to prevent rotation of a small needle while inserting the needle into tissue and these forceps could have been in use during the last years of the Civil War.  That said, this collector has never seen a locking forceps in any government contract-provided military surgical set.  That doesn't mean they did not exist in the civilian market.

See image #15 in the lower left hand side of the page image to the right.  The description of the forceps is #19 on the far right page: "Improved Polypus Forceps, combining Suture and Artery Forceps."  The locking rack and catch  forceps is generally thought to be a later 1870's invention, but this image in the 1866 catalogue and publication of a similar instrument by Mathieu (France) in 1864 may point to its earlier use.

Link to the 1866 Gemrig Catalogue

In Kirkup's book, he notes that Mathieu (page 271-272, fig. 349 right) in 1864, published a very similar, if not identical design of this type of single rack and catch integral to the handles.  It's entirely possible that Gemrig imported this design.  Kirkup also shows a locking rack and catch in the Sim's needle holder, c. 1864. From Kirkup, 'The Evolution of Surgical Instruments', p. 272

 

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