American Civil War Medicine & Surgical Antiques

Surgical Set collection from 1860 to 1865 - Civilian and Military

Civil War: Medicine, Surgeon Education & Medical Textbooks

Dr. Michael Echols & Dr. Doug Arbittier

2011 - "The sesqui-centennial of the Civil War" - 2015

The 150th Year Celebration

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Dr. Echols' list of Google books for Civil War Surgeon Research

SOLD

Genuine Civil War U. S. Army M1840 'Medical Service' Sword

by Horstmann & Sons, Pennsylvania

Page 6

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Three (3) day inspection privileges. If you are not satisfied, just return the item for a full refund, less any shipping charges & insurance in both directions. Shipping to U.S.A. only. All prices are firm. Payment is due prior to shipping. Buyer pays all shipping and insurance charges.

Contact Michael Echols

For Sale: $1,470

Written regulations for the Medical Corps specified the requirement for Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons to obtain and wear dress swords. See additional information on Civil War Medical Service swords.

The U. S. Army M 1840 Medical Staff sword was fairly unique when compared to the sword patterns for both Staff and Field/Line officers and Non-Commissioned officers of the same time period. These swords were elegant in design and completely ceremonial in purpose. The sword is European in origin, imported by Horstmann for US sales. Marked 'M.S.' for Medical Service.

The sword shown below, is a Model 1840 'Medical Service' marked sword, which is uncleaned, in original condition as found, with full patina of the brass scabbard and handle with no dings or dents. Over-all length 35 in. Marked: "W H HORSTMANN / & SONS / PHILADELPHIA". Ornate brass handle, blade is etched with patriotic symbols. Scabbard is brass with ornate brass mountings. Handle and cross-guard are marked the same, so both are original to this sword.

See a M1840 Medical Staff sword for comparison

Click on any image to enlarge

Horstmann & Sons, Philadelphia; Eagle crest; E. Pluribus Unum

Comments from a fellow Civil War Medical sword collector regarding the condition of this sword on viewing these photos:

"Untouched, aged, not buffed/polished, etc. The brown on the scabbard is really aged, oxidized brass. It means it is hundreds of years old and can't be faked with acid, etc.. That's what really convinced me this is the real deal, and not an 1880 to 1900 later post-Civil War MS sword.

Originally, all of the brass was gold/gilted plated. You still have much of the gilt on the hilt fittings. That's because the metal composition of these fittings differs from the plate pounded-brass of the scabbard. These fittings were poured with molten metal into moulds.

I would recommend light machine oil on the blade every 6 months and don't polish the brass, if it's really dirty, then simple moist rag with soap and water and really dry it well. As far as a date, probably in the original initial 1861 shipment batches, more like 1863, but that's just my opinion/speculation."

See: Horstmann Medical Service sword

See: Ames Medical Service sword

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Civil War Medical Collections

Direct links to all medical & Civil War collections on this site

American Surgical Sets:
Pre-Civil War: 1 | 2 - Post-Civil War: 3 - Civil War 1861-1865: 4 | 5 | 6 | 7    INDEX

Medical Text-Books:

1 | 1a | 2 | 2a | 3 | 3a | 4 | 4a | 5 | 5a | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9a | 10 | 11 | 12    INDEX

Medical Lecture Cards:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21    INDEX

93 Navy Surgeon Exams:

1863 Navy Surgeon Applicant Exams with Biographies INDEX

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Army: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8    INDEX

Navy: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Hosp Dep't Bottles, Tins

U.S. Army Pannier:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

American Civil War Medicine & Surgical Antiques

Please request permission before commercial use or publication of any content or photos on this site and credit any use with: "American Civil War Surgical Antiques" All content and all original photography on this Web Site is copyrighted 1995 - 2013 and may not be used on any other web site or in commercial print without the expressed e-mail permission from Dr. Arbittier: Contact All rights reserved.

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Last update: Monday, April 29, 2013