Civil War-Era Pocket Surgical Kit with Leather Case

Civil War-Era Pocket Surgical Kit with Leather Case - Inventory Number: MED 299

This compact pocket surgical kit dates to the Civil War era and represents a vital piece of field medical equipment used by Union army surgeons or civilian contract doctors. Housed in its original hand-stitched brown leather case with gold tooling and a functional brass latch closure, the kit folds neatly for transport—ideal for battlefield or hospital use.

Inside, the velvet-lined interior secures an assortment of small instruments including:

Surgical scissors and forceps

Folding scalpels with horn handles

Curved probes and catheters

Trocar and cannula

Tenaculum and file

A possible tongue depressor or bone implement, likely of whalebone or ivory

This was not a large amputation kit, but a compact personal surgical set—likely used for treating wounds, draining abscesses, minor surgical interventions, or urological procedures in the field. The case shows expected wear from age, but retains its original clasp and interior retention straps, making it a remarkably preserved example.

A compelling piece of Civil War medical history, this set offers a glimpse into the tools and techniques available to 19th-century military surgeons facing the brutal realities of war.

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Inventory Number: MED 299