J. H. Gemrig
was a surgical instrument maker in Philadelphia, Pa. during 1840 to 1881 in
various forms (alone, with his brother, and with his son). During the
Civil War, Gemrig was a major supplier of surgical sets under contract to the
Union forces. His company was located at 143 N. 6th from 1840 to 1844,
at 48 N. 6th from 1841 to 1844, at S. 8th from 1845 to 1880. All dates are
from the Directory of Makers and Dealers as listed by Edmonson in American
Surgical Instruments: an Illustrated History
Jacob H. Gemrig surgical instrument maker
1841-44: 48 N. 6th
1845: 49 S. 8th
1846-65: 43 S. 8th
1866-80: 109 S. 8th
This civilian set
existed during the Civil War. What makes it special, besides being an
ivory set, is the presence of a bullet forceps. Usually only military
sets have bullet forceps, but they are present in this early 1860's civilian
set.
The brass bound
set case measures (13 x 6 x 3 inches). The handles of the
saw and knives are made of real ivory.
Missing is the
two piece gullet forceps which would have been taken-a-part and positioned in
the raised block on the left side of the lower part of the case. Also
missing are a pair of scissors, a small forceps, and a very small
trocar.
All instruments which
are marked are marked: Gemrig There are no substitutions.
Compare the Gemrig set above to a
Hernstein variation (below) made for the U. S. A. Hospital Department during the Civil War
