Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID # |
2017.072.002 |
Object Name |
Saw, Surgical |
Other Name |
Saw, Bone |
Title |
JOSEPH GRAY & SON Amputation Saw |
Year Range from |
1885 |
Year Range to |
1890 |
Made |
Joseph Gray & Son |
Place of Origin |
England, United Kingdom |
Description |
A 19th-century amputation saw, found in a storage case with other surgical instruments of an amputation set (see Related items). The saw is made of steel at the blade, and the top of the blade is reinforced with rivetted-on steel. The front end is curved. The serrated teeth are small. The hand grip is made of textured black wood (ebony) and there is an inset symmetrical brass piece in the wood (two slotted brass screw heads on the opposite side). The saw does not have a maker's mark stamped on it, but it is designed to fit into the lid of a Joseph Gray & Son storage case. |
Makers mark |
No maker's mark or logo is stamped into it, but other items in the case were made by J. GRAY & SON SHEFFIELD. |
Provenance |
Manufactured in Sheffield, England, by the Joseph Gray & Son company, a surgical instruments maker, that was established in 1849 as Gray & Lawson. The company name changed to Joseph Gray & Co. by 186_. They became Joseph Gray & Son in 18__. Owned/used by Dr. William George Dow (George Dow). Dr. Dow (b. 1861) graduated from medical school in 1886 and then practiced at Owen Sound, Ontario from 1886-1927. He also was a Coroner. His practise/residence was in the corner building at 1000 1st Ave. West / 117 10th St. West (prior to 1909 called 2 Frost Street). Dr. Dow was an uncle of Mrs. Grace Pollock. Grace was the wife of Dr. Allan Pollock. They and their family inherited some of Dr. Dow's items. The item was passed down to Doug Pollock. |
Collection |
Medical/Dentistry, 19th-c Collection |
Material |
Metal/Steel/Wood |
Dimensions |
W-39.5 L-9 cm |
Found |
Owen Sound, Grey County |
People |
Dow, Dr. William G. |
Subjects |
Medical equipment & supplies Medical personnel Amputees Surgical instruments Surgery |
Search Terms |
Owen Sound General & Marine Hospital |
Function |
A hand saw intended for surgical purposes (e.g amputations, bone saw). It is stored in a portable storage case for a set of 19th-century surgical instruments (pre-sterilization type). The case held sharp instruments, so it would be kept locked by the medical practitioner who owned it. The set was made by a surgical instruments manufacturer in Sheffield, England. |