Battlefield recovered Civil War Field Tourniquet

This is a rare Civil War medical item being offered, it is the remains of a brass field tourniquet measuring 2 ¼” x 1 ¾”. They were used for emergency stoppage of blood flow in a limb when wounded.

Tourniquets were used by both sides during the Civil War. There was very little training in the proper use of tourniquets, and at times unwarranted use of them, with unnecessary limb damage or loss. But when used properly, during the appropriate situation, they were lifesaving.

There is an interesting story regarding the death of Confederate General Albert Sydney Johnston. At the Battle of Shiloh, when he had mistakenly gone ahead of his troops, he was shot in the leg. Not realizing the seriousness of the situation, and probably not feeling the injury because of a previous wound, his boot filled with blood and he bled to death. It was said that he died with a tourniquet in his pocket.

These excavated tourniquets or even parts are difficult to find. These tourniquets can be seen in most of the Civil War museums, such as Gettysburg, the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, and the Civil War Medical Museum in Frederick, MD (see pictures). This tourniquet part was discarded because the screw chamber split open, probably from overtightening during use. It was recovered from a Virginia battlefield, but I do not know the exact location. It comes in the glass top display case pictured.