Description
An outstanding Civil War medical display item, this original Civil War vintage surgical splint and accompanying period bandage roll was acquired some years ago when we were fortunate enough to find a Civil War vintage slide top box containing it’s period content of a small number of rolled home spun bandages with original splints. The rolled bandage measures approximately 4 1/ 2 to 5 inches in width and is of period loomed cotton sheeting as was commonly utilized by home front volunteers who came together, particularly in the Eastern textile mill region, to tear and roll strips of available textile for use as bandages. Bandage rolls are secured by an ink stamped and sealed paper band. The splint is fashioned from birch wood ( see: National Civil War Medical Museum in Frederick, Marylandand) with good evidence of period originality and is maker marked E. J. Cutter
The collector / historian will be interested that we were curious enough to sacrificed one of the bandage rolls, opening the paper band to reveal that they are repurposed from Odd Fellow Lodge dues certificates. The one we opened was dated 1849 and was from a Newburyport, Mass. I.O.O.F. chapter. Oddly enough the wood box containing the bandages bore a stenciled Masonic device. Obviously repurposed to band the bandage rolls, it seems more than likely the then obsolete dues certificates were pressed into service by volunteers gathered in the local lodge hall.
Buy with confidence! Like all of our direct sales this item will come with a three-day inspection provision with reimbursement of item price upon return as purchased. Thanks for visiting Gunsight Antiques!
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