Post-1880's Surgical Sets and Instrument identification

Non-Civil War Surgical Sets

The key feature for identification of post sterilization c. 1870-80's, surgical sets is the absence of composite, ebony, ivory, or other non-metallic handles.  If it's chrome plated or has a metal handle, it's post 1890 for sure and maybe post 1880.

If the instruments have metal handles, they are NOT Pre-1870 and most likely are post 1880-90.   There is absolutely no way any of the following were used in the Civil War especially anything marked 'AESCULAP"

Typical 1890's all metal handle set

 

     

 

 

  Metal handled knives in post 1880 pocket surgical kits

 

     

 

 

Typical post 1890's chrome plated saw and instruments with metal handles

 

Post 1890 neurological set, all metal trephine, leather bag, Merck bottles  None of which, existed during the Civil War

Post 1880 French set by Charriere, with many of the attributes of an earlier set (velvet lined, mahogany case, brass cartouche, bilateral  latches, but the bottom line is the instruments are all made for sterilization with all metal handles and are post-1880 for sure

  

Post 1880 American set by Shepard and Dudley with all metal handles

Tiemann surgical set c.1881 evaluation

This set came up on eBay in 2008 and I saved the photos for evaluation and discussion.  I do not own this set.

This is an unusual post-sterilization set produced by George Tiemann & Co. c. 1881.  Of particular note is the mahogany case, which until it is opened, one would think was pre-1860 judging by the brass banding, keyed lock, and brass name plate. 

On opening, the blue velvet interior would be typical of post-Civil War sets, but the presence of plated metal handles on the saw, amputation knives, trephine, and absence of any non-sterilizable materials is the cardinal point of the example.  Tiemann would still put up their post-sterilization instruments in pre-sterilization cases and interiors in 1881 as the era of non-sterilization slowly passed.