Civil War: Hernstein, U.S. Army Hosp. Dept., Trepanning Set

A rare and complete U. S. Army Hospital Department issued military trepanning set by H. Hernstein, New York City, N.Y.  It has a detailed a trade label indicating H. Hernstein, N.Y. with the 393 Broadway address.  The label also indicates it is U. S. Army Hosp. Dept. issue.  The set brass plate is engraved with 'U.S.A'.  (United States Army).  The lock is keyed, rather than a single sliding lock, which would indicate the set was produce early in 1861 before the Medical Dept. specified sliding latches.  All instruments are original to this set.

Hermann Hernstein surgical instruments

1855-57: 81 Duane and 393 Broadway

1858: 81 Duane, 131 Mercer, and 393 Broadway

1859-61: 131 Mercer and 393 Broadway

Hermann Hernstein & Son (Hermann and Albert L. Hernstein) 1862-65: 131 Mercer and 393 Broadway

Hermann Hernstein & Son & Co. 1865: 2 Liberty and 393 Broadway

Hermann Hernstein & Co. 1866-67: 2 Liberty and 393 Broadway

 

Reference: Edmonson

 

The set is engraved on the cartouche with " U. S. A."  and the label indicates the last year Hernstein would have used this label, which is the first year of the War.  The label also indicates the set was produced under contract for the U. S. Army Hosp. Dept.  All instruments are present and original for this Civil War set.

Trade label is marked: "H. Hernstein, N. Y, Surgical Instruments, 393 Broadway, U. S. ARMY, Hosp. Dept."

The partition with Hernstein & Son trade label and instrument list is present the back of the partition

Maker inventory label on back side of the partition

Scalpel is marked "Hernstein & Son"

Bone brush, Hey saw, trephine handle with two sizes of trephines