Name/Title
Amputation set, circularDescription
This is a rare cased circular amputation set. Note that the sharp edge of the knife is on the curved concave side allowing the operator to perform the operation with one swift circular motion.
This was the earliest technique for amputation and was first described by Aulus Cornelius Celsus (25 B.C.-50 A.D.). Military surgeons preferred a circular amputation because the wound healed quickly, and there was less soft tissue to be exposed to the possibility of infection. Additionally, circular amputation resulted in less operative pain, patients could be transported with fewer complications and with one quick swipe of the blade, a limb could be removed in a matter of a few minutes, a blessing in the days before anesthesia was available.
Also here is an 18th century circular amputation knife by Price. The illustration of that procedure is from "Traité complet d’anatomie de l’homme" 2nd ed. (1866–1871) by J.M. Bourgery, Claude Bernard, and N.H. Jacob.Dimensions
Height
2 inWidth
6-1/2 inLength
10 inCondition
Overall Condition
GoodDate Examined
Jul 5, 2026Create Date
July 5, 2026Update Date
August 23, 2026
