Original Cased set of a Civil War Surgeon’s Apothecary Scales, with Federal Eagle

This is another great piece being offered, it is an original cased set of Civil War Surgeon’s Apothecary Scales. They are in the original velvet lined wooden case measuring 5 1/2 ” x 2 1/2” x 1”, with embossed American Eagle on the center of the lid, indicating military use. Inside are the pans with strings, a weight, and the balance beams. There are times when the surgeon lost weights, he would substitute coins.

These scales were a very important tool for the surgeon. The medicines that the surgeon had were either in bottles or tins, and very small amounts were weighed on the scale before dispersing to the soldier. Just like today, the wrong amount could be detrimental.

There is a similar set in “Fighting Men of the Civil War” by William Davis, that one is from the collection of the Museum of the Confederacy (see pictures). Another near identical set is in the Civil War National Museum in Harrisburg (see pictures). They are also in "Pictorial Encyclopedia of Civil War Medical Instruments and Equipment", by Dr. Gordon Dammann (see pictures). This rare military-issue item would make a great addition to any Civil War collection.