Antique DISSTON Phila. Civil War-Era Surgeon's Medical Amputation Bone Saw Knife

Description

This is a beautifully crafted piece in rock solid condition, made in Philadelphia by H. & C. Disston.  It has some other markings, partially worn, but it's the photos which truly astonish, as you can see.
. At the time of its manufacture, this would have been a staple of any surgeon's tool kit, used for the down and dirty business of removing the mangled, infected or gangrenous limbs that were so common in an age predating antibiotics, asceptic technique or even anesthesia.
During times of war, it was every soldier's worst nightmare, more feared than the cannon, musket or bayonet.
As you can see from the photos, its blade was hand-forged from fine carbon tool steel with a bone-saw edge on one side and a razor-keen straight edge on the reverse.  A surgeon sliced through flesh with one, through bone with the other, and a skilled surgeon in those days could do the job in a VERY painful 6 seconds on even the most massive human leg. Even a time that fast didn't earn him many friendships among the wounded but considering the alternatives, it was a fate that could be bourne.
During the American Civil War, pieces like this were in great demand and short supply; American industry couldn't produce them fast enough and pieces made in France or Sheffield, England were generally considered superior. It came to us by way of a yard-sale in Georgia, and there's no way to know if it was actually USED in a combat theater, but it certainly is of that era.
Handles are qualty hardwood, probably poplar, with unusual brass rivets that are iron inside of oversized brass.  Amazingly, after more than 150 years, it remains tight and ready to go to work, and it is probably as useful and effective now as it was when new. Let's hope neither of us ever has to find out!
That's not ENTIRELY true, though, because I've seen quite a few of these knives put to work in other capacities:  by fishermen, bakers, chefs and even handymen.  A very versatile tool.
It's a couple of inches longer than most like it, measuring 18" long with 12.25" blade, but in terms of its place in medical history and in the history of man, it comes up BIG in every way.
TERMS of SALE
You must be 18 to bid. You agree to pay on time and we agree to ship on time. No local pickups. Intenational bidders are welcome--we ship anywhere.
RETURN POLICY: We prefer a no-returns policy because you're going to get EXACTLY what is in the description and TEN very clear photos. Please think "yard sale" or "flea market" not "Walmart" or "Nordstroms." If we've really screwed up, that's different, but I promise you that won't happen. You promise that if there's something that's unclear or you're not sure about in the ad or pictures, you'll ask before you bid. That should work well for both of us.