Surgical instrument kit in original wooden case. Cincinnati, Ohio: Max Wocher, circa 1855. Box overall 16 5/8 x 6 3/8 x 3 in. Max Wocher manufacturer's label affixed to interior.

With 12 surgical instruments used for amputation, trepanning, and other surgical procedures, housed in walnut and brass box with custom velvet cover fittings. Lacking at least one instrument, with some instruments from various manfucturers (see below) that were added post-retail. Items include: 

Upper tier: 

1. Large amputation bone bow saw. Steel with thermoplastic handle. Stamped "M. Wocher". L. 14 3/4 in. 

2. Bone saw. Steel. Stamped "M. Wocher". Approx. L. 10 1/2 in. 

3. Artery forceps. Steel. Approx. L. 4 3/4 in.

Lower tier:

4. Long Liston amputation knife. Steel blade with brass bolster and thermoplastic handle. Bolster stamped "M. Wocher." Blade L.10 in. Overall L.14 5/8 in. 

5. Medium Liston amputation knife. Steel blade with brass bolster and thermoplastic handle. Bolster stamped "M. Wocher." Blade L. 6 3/5 in Overall L.11 in.

Named for pioneering Scottish surgeon Dr. Robert Liston, the knife is designed to deliver swift and precise incisions to minimize damage to soft tissues.

6. Tenotome. Steel. Marked "Wocher / Germany". Approx. L. 8 in.

Small narrow-bladed knife for surgical procedures on tendons. 

7. Hey's saw. Steel with thermoplastic handle. Handle stamped "25". Approx. L. 6 3/4 in. 

Used in cranial operation and named for English surgeon William Hey (1736-1819).

8. Desmarres Lid Retractor. Steel. Stamped "Chiron." Approx. L. 5 38 in.

9. Tonsil guillotine. Steel and thermoplastic. Approx. L. 10 in. 

10. Hand trephine or dental drill. Steel and thermoplastic. Stamped "J.D. Chevalier". Approx. L. 5 3/8 in. (Without designated location in case inserts).

John D. Chevalier was a Swiss-born manufacturer of dental instruments who operated from 1835 until circa 1872. 

11. Galt trephine. Brass and steel, with removable thermoplastic handle. Approx. 4 1/2 x 3 3/4 in. Diam. approx. 1/2 in. 

Handle designed to be removable to quickly change the gauge of trephine. 

12. Button trigger spring lancet. Brass and steel. Stamped "Wiegand & Snowden / Philadelphia". Housed in original green leatherette case. Approx. 2 1/4 x 1 1/4 in. 

Maximilian Wocher was a surgical instrument maker who entered business in 1840, with his business located E.S. Walnut between 4th and 5th. He moved several times, operating at "6th btw. Vine and Race in the Ohio Medical College" building in 1855. The next year, his labels read "105 W 6th". After the war, his son joined his operation, and the business was renamed Max Wocher & Son. (James M. Edmonson. American Surgical Instruments: An Illustrated History of their Manufacture and a Directory of Instrument Makers to 1900).

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] Medical History, Medical Photography]

Occasional tarnish and residue. Case missing brass lock fitting. Modern ruber feet affixed to case underside. 

Some instruments are after purchase additions. Please see description for details of all instruments included.