(Old Scalpel Thread) - Antique Ships' Surgeons' Scalpel

[Draac]

Antique Ships' Surgeons' Scalpel

Interesting story/description that came with it's (for what it is worth). After looking at I have conculuded that the handle is not original to the blade but is in fact whalebone. There are no markings on the blade but it is very old buy the type of steel it's made from.

Description: This is an antique ships' surgeons' scalpel. The handle is either ivory or whalebone. It came to me through my wife's family which goes very far back in Salem, New Bedford, and Nantucket, Massachusetts history. Her ancestors were whalers and merchant ship owners mostly in Nantucket and New Bedford. If you know the story by Melville--The Whale, or "Moby Dick" many of the names of characters in that book were real whaling families and are in her lineage: Coffin, Starbuck, Gardner, etc. It has a slight crack on one side that was repaired at some point. Otherwise the handle is solid and in fine condition and the carbon steel blade can be honed to razor sharp. It probably should be in a museum but I am offering it here as-is with no returns accepted. I have no idea of the actual age or value of it. But it is very old.

Draac

[Draac]

J. REYNDERS & Co. FOLDING MEDICAL SCALPEL

Note: J. REYNDERS & Co – In Business From 1879-1883 (Post Civil War)

Draac

[Draac]

1870s Shepard & Dudley Co. New York NY Post Civil War Scalpel

Description:
This Fantastic piece of 130 to 140 year old Antique Medical Surgical Tools is clearly marked on the Blade's tang ,, Shepard & Dudley NY. It is a Scalpel for making incisions. Now Shepard & Dudley were around in the 1860s but the powers to be, online swear they did not make surgical tools until 1870. Being in New york I wonder how they escaped helping out the Union with medical supplies of all kinds. Anyway it has an Ebony wood handle with the blade"s back end inserted into the wood and held firm to the handle with two Rivets. You can see the grains in the wood. Its overall length is 6 1/2 inches. The Blade has been sharpened a Time or two but in overall very Good sharp condition. No stainless when this was made so there is some darkening on the blade. But again still super sharp

Draac

[Draac]

Here are all my "Scapels" at this time (leaving out the Bleeders), thought I get a photo of them all together.

1 - J. REYNDERS & Co. FOLDING MEDICAL SCALPEL

2 - Antique Civil War Era Folding Corn Razor Knife Medical

3 -Vintage Medical SANDS Scalpel Castration Blade

4 - Antique Ship's Scalpel

5 - 1870s Shepard & Dudley Co. New York NY Post Civil War Scalpel

Draac

[paulsvintage]

great posting them, thanks