Summary
Post mortem saw made by Disston, Henry & Sons Keystone Saw Works Inc. Philadelphia, circa 1848.
Used for post mortems in a Victorian mental hospital, for opening the skull, circa 1848-1950.
Physical Description
Post mortem saw is shaped like a small carpenter's tenon saw. It has an almost straight tension blade of cast steel (very slightly tapered away from handle end,) a heavy brass fixed spine and very fine even teeth. It has an ornately-shaped, wooden, carpenter's saw handle with horned hand-grip at the top which is attached to the top corner of the broader end of the blade, angled slightly upward by 3 brass rivets, one wider on the top bearing the trade mark.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Office of Psychiatric Services, May 1985
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Manufacturer
Henry Disston & Sons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America, 1848 or later
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Place & Date Used
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Inscriptions
"CAST STEEL/HENRY DISSTON & SONS/WARRANTED/PHILAD'A U.S.A." engraved on spine.
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Classification
Medicine & health, Mental health - mortuary, Tools & equipment
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Exhibition Collection Management
425 mm (Length), 140 mm (Width), 25 mm (Height)
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overall dimensions
15 cm (Length), 2 cm (Width), 42 cm (Height)
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References
References: S. Maw, Son & Sons: Catalogue of Surgical Instruments, Appliances Aseptic Hospital Furniture and Surgical Dressings. London, 1905.
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Keywords
