Revolutionary War-Era Surgical Amputation Set Circa 1770-1790 / On-hold

Description

Revolutionary War-Era Surgical Amputation Set

Circa 1770-1790

An exceptional and highly complete 18th-century surgical amputation set, representative of instruments used during the American Revolutionary War period, housed in its original hinged wooden case with textured exterior and green wool interior lining.

The fitted interior retains a large amputation saw and small amputation saw, both exhibiting correct period form with hand-forged steel blades and traditional turned handles, Also present is a Petit-style screw tourniquet, a critical lifesaving instrument of the era, used to restrict blood flow during limb removal-a form directly associated with Jean-Louis Petit’s mid-18th century innovations that revolutionized battlefield surgery.

The set further includes a small pouch containing spring arterial clamps, used to control hemorrhaging vessels following amputation, along with a small brass container holding straight surgical pins, employed for ligatures and wound closure. Additional ancillary instruments remain properly fitted within their original recesses, demonstrating an unusually intact survival.

The interior retains its original green wool lining, showing honest wear consistent with age and use, while the exterior case displays period surface wear and patination, entirely consistent with late -18th century medical equipment. No modern alterations are observed.

Such sets would have been employed by army surgeons and regimental mates during the Revolutionary War, where traumatic injuries from musket fire, artillery, and edged weapons necessitated rapid surgical intervention-often under austere conditions and without anesthesia.

Complete Revolutionary War-era surgical amputation sets are exceedingly rare, particularity examples retaining both saws, tourniquet, arterial instruments, and original case. This example represents an outstanding survivor from the formative period of American military medicine.

Inventory Number: REV 069