Decapitating hook, London, England,1851-1900

Made:
1851-1900 in London
maker:
Down Brothers
Decapitating hook, Galabin, steel, ebony handle, by Down Bros Decapitating hook, Galabin, steel, ebony handle, by Down Bros

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Decapitating hook, Galabin, steel, ebony handle, by Down Bros
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Decapitating hook, Galabin, steel, ebony handle, by Down Bros
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Decapitating hook, Galabin, steel, ebony handle, by Down Bros. of London, second half 19th century

This steel decapitating hook was a destructive obstetric tool. It is shaped like an umbrella handle. It removed a dead foetus from within the mother’s body. The simple design inserted into the mother’s birth canal and hooked onto part of the child. The sturdy handle gave the physician good grip when extracting the body. This decapitating hook is serrated on the inner edge. It extracted the whole body or parts of the body. It was made by London-based surgical instrument makers Down Brothers.

Details

Category:
Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Contraception
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A615367
Materials:
steel (chromium-plated) and ebony
Measurements:
overall: 21 mm x 303 mm x 113 mm, .176 kg
type:
decapitating hook
credit:
Down Brothers