Partial Snowden & Brother, Pre-Civil War surgical set, c. 1859-60

This partial Snowden set was most likely made just prior to the Civil War.  It was created for civilian use, not military.  The presence of Galt type crowns on the trephines and the English style handle on the saw are typical for this time frame.  This is the type of surgery set a contract surgeon would have brought with him during the Civil War on either side. 

Snowden & Brother (George and Henry) were one of the major suppliers of surgical instruments and military sets to the U.S. Army Medical Department before and during the Civil War.  The heavy bone forceps, a small tissue forceps, and small scalpel (shown, but missing) are missing so the price is reduced accordingly.

Snowden & Bro. (George P. [1832-?] and Henry C. [1838-?] Snowden become partners I July 1858; William Snowden [1840­

?] becomes partner I January 1866; Henry C. retires in May,

1872 and sells interest to George) surgical instrument makers

1858-64: 15 N. 5th

1864-72: 23 S. 8th

 (Edmonson)

Missing: small tweezer, Satterlee bone forceps, and small scalpel above Hey saw

 

Scalpel above the tenaculeum on right is missing

 

Note: some Snowden saws are marked, this one is not

 

Note: all blade-handle joints are the same on the knives and Hey saw

 

 

Trephine crown is later 'Galt' type

Tourniquet 'T' not marked, but original for sure

 Cast iron prongs on tourniquet strap, typical for Civil War period

 

 

 

Indexes: General Medical Antiques  |  Civil War Surgical Antiques

 

Alphabetical Index for Civil War Surgical Antiques

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