Original Revolutionary War Surgeons Amputation Saw, as in museums and books

This is another early piece coming out of a 60-year collection of French & Indian War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812 artifacts. Much of the collection was artillery related, but also there is a large portion of personal and medical items. Being offered is an 18th century Surgeons Amputation Saw.

It is made of forged iron with an overall measurement of 13” with a 6 ½” blade. It also has a brass ferrule and complete wooden handle. As with most of these instruments, the blade has a tightening screw.

The 1700s was a time when doctors did not understand the importance of sterilization, and surgery knowledge and techniques were very primitive. For severe wounds from musket balls or blades in arms and legs, amputation was the usual treatment. Worse, the bone saws and other implements were used on multiple patients without washing and sterilizing them between surgeries.

Anesthesia was likewise basic, consisting of pain relievers such as opium and alcohol, and were often not available in the field. Patients were given something to bite on, such as a stick or leather strap, then multiple people held them down during the surgery. After the agony of having a limb cut and sawed off, performed with little or no pain relief, you likely had only a one in three chance of survival. Shock was the normal reaction, then there was blood loss and infection, all deadly.

There is an examples of this saw in “The Revolutionary War Museum” in Yorktown, VA, The “Revolutionary War Guilford Courthouse Museum”, and the “Colonial Williamsburg Museum” (see pictures). There is also one shown in the book “Revolutionary War Medicine” (see pictures). This is a great Revolutionary War piece that no doubt saw quite a bit of use. A rare medical item to find.

This collection began in the late 1950s and was created by private acquisitions, closed museums, diggers, and lake divers. The collector meticulously displayed and cataloged every piece along with any known provenance.

This is the first time this item has been on the open market. It definitely merits a place in an advanced collection or museum.  As with all the pieces in this esteemed collection, a Certificate of Authenticity will be included. This would make a great addition to any period display.