Surgical instrument set

Made:
1939 in Tuttlingen
maker:
Jetter and Scheerer
German field surgical set, complete, steel instruments, plated

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German field surgical set, complete, steel instruments, plated
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

German field surgical set, complete, steel instruments, plated, in steel case, by Jetter and Scheerer of Tuttlingen, marked "Hauptbessteck," 1939

This extensive steel surgical instrument set contains a wide range of the equipment an army surgeon may have needed at a German field hospital. Some of the instruments, such as the amputation knives and saw, are for specific tasks. Other instruments, such as the forceps for clamping bones, arteries, and intestines, have a more general use.

The kit is labelled with the German word Hauptbesteck and the date. Hauptbesteck translates as “main cutlery”, “cutlery” being another word for surgical instruments. The use of steel for the case as well as the instruments ensured that this equipment could be sterilised easily.

Details

Category:
Emergency Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A619258
Materials:
complete, steel, wood (unidentified), paper (fibre product), felt, paint and tin (metal)
Measurements:
overall (case open): 450 mm x 510 mm x 325 mm, 25.72 kg
overall (tray one as displayed): 42 mm x 445 mm x 135 mm, 2.334 kg
overall (tray two as displayed): 42 mm x 445 mm x 135 mm, 3.026 kg
type:
surgical instrument set
credit:
Sheppard, R.

Parts

Backhaus towel clips from German field surgery set

Backhaus towel clips from German field surgery set

Materials:
steel (nickel-plated)
Object Number:
A619258 Pt40
type:
towel clips
Leather-covered wooden mallet

Leather-covered wooden mallet

Materials:
wood and leather
Object Number:
A619258 Pt69
type:
mallets
Retractor from German field surgery set

Retractor from German field surgery set

Materials:
silver
Object Number:
A619258 Pt86
type:
retractors
Steel case for German field surgical set

Steel case for German field surgical set

Materials:
case, steel
Object Number:
A619258 Pt94
type:
instrument cases