Surgical instrument set, United States, 1939-1945

Surgical instrument set for fractures and amputations in canvas roll, by Zimmer Manufacturing Co. and others, USA., 1939-1945

This array of gruesome looking instruments made from stainless steel form a specialised kit used to surgically repair fractures and perform amputations in army field hospitals or medical units even nearer to the frontline. Being made from stainless steel, the instruments were easy to sterilise. Storing it in a canvas roll makes it easy to carry. Each instrument has an outline drawn on to the canvas so it is a simple job to replace the item.

The instruments were made by various American surgical instrument makers for use by medical and surgical teams attached to the United States Army during the Second World War.