Model of an artificial leg, Europe, 1918-1990

Made:
1918-1990 in Europe
maker:
Alex Munro Armstrong
Model of a No Model of a No

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Model of a No
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Model of a No
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Model of a No.8 (below knee) prosthesis made by the late Alex Munro Armstrong of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. He lost his leg, below the knee on 24 April 1918.

Alex Munro Armstrong of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders in the British Army lost his leg below the knee on 24 April 1918. He made this model of a below-the-knee prosthesis for the left leg. It was probably based on his own artificial limb.

Each of the 41,000 British servicemen who lost at least one limb in the First World War was entitled to a free artificial replacement. Initially overwhelmed by the demand, a combination of American manufacturers, new limb-fitting centres, technological advances and the emergence of a valid British limb-making industry eventually solved the problem. However, there were still many thousands of amputees awaiting their first artificial limb by the end of the conflict.

Details

Category:
Orthopaedics
Object Number:
1999-460
Materials:
leather and metal
Measurements:
overall: 42 mm x 220 mm x 80 mm, .09kg
type:
artificial leg and model
credit:
Richmond Twickenham and Roehampton Healthcare NHS Trust