(a) Amputation knife, which consists of a straight, long, thin blade with a rounded back, very sharp pointed tip and thin, sharp cutting edge; the knife blade goes into a long, rounded ebony handle that has cross-hatched gripping incisions carved into the wood of the front and back; the sides are s…
(a) Amputation knife, which consists of a straight, long, thin blade with a rounded back, very sharp pointed tip and thin, sharp cutting edge; the knife blade goes into a long, rounded ebony handle that has cross-hatched gripping incisions carved into the wood of the front and back; the sides are smooth; the outer end tapers to a blunt point; the knife is stored in a leather sheath (b); the sheath is made of two pieces of leather cut into the shape and length of the blade and sewn together with the bottom left open so that it can be put on or taken off the knife blade.
Number Of Parts
2
Part Names
a - amputation knife - Size: Length 31.6 cm x Width 1.9 cm x Depth 1.3 cm
b - leather sheath - Size: Length 21.8 cm x Width 3.6 cm x Depth 1.1 cm
Provenance
Originally owned and used by Dr. B.N. Kropp; collected by Dr. A.A. Travill for the Queen's University Faculty of Medicine Collection
(a) One side of the blade has the words, "SNOWDEN // PHILA" stamped into the metal just above the handle; the handle has the number "2" stamped into one side of the wood, just below the blade.
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-E1-3
Condition Remarks
The metal shows some wear and minor non-active corrosion at the tip; the wooden handle shows minor wear; the wood has a 6.5-cm-long crack on one side, close to the blade; the leather is complete, unstained, and flexible; #2: returned in same condition; #3: 7.5-cm crack in handle; wear and tarnish on blade; a few adhesions.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Document
Book
Reference Comments
Previous number #141; Faculty of Medicine Collection 1984 Inventory; "A Pictorial Encyclopedia of Civil War Medical Instruments and Equipment," Vol. I, by Dr. Gordon Dammann, 1983, p. 14 (item #20); "Antique Medical Instruments," by C. Keith Wilbur, M.D., 1987, p. 126; came in instrument roll 997.001.414 with 6 other amputation knives (997.001.415, .417-.421)
Exhibit History
Bracken Library Exhibit "Boning Up on Anatomy"; Sept 9, 2002-Sept. 29, 2003; On display in Bracken wing Feb. 12, 2004-Feb. 2005