NOTE: Lancets are measured to the tip of the casing rather than to the tip
of the blade. The blade length depends upon the setting, and varies from
an additional 8 to 13 mm.
Spring lancet, 19th century. Brass Knob end lancet with brass lever
release. Purchased 1898. L 42 mm, W 20 mm. Anthropology vol. 30, catalog
no. 143078.
Spring lancets (2) with case, 19th century. One lancet is plain with a
brass lever release. Second lancet is brass with a steel lever release and
has a floral design on the front and back panels. There are three settings
for the height of the blade instead of the usual two. Blade is broken off.
Case is square and made of wood covered with black leather and lined with
rose plush. It is stamped "Braumiller, jun." Wood is broken. Leather and
plush are badly torn. Donated by George B. Roth 1925. Both lancets: L 44
mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 62 mm, W 64 mm, H 20 mm. NMHT 88734 (M-2099).
Spring lancet, patent model, 1857. Lancet has a cupped end instead of the
usual knob end. According to analysis by the Conservation Laboratory, the
lancet is made of silver-copper alloy. A screw on the back regulates the
depth of cut by moving the spring mechanism back and forth inside the
outer casing. Patented by James W. W. Gordon (U.S. patent 16479).
Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office 1926. L 36 mm, W 25 mm, H 6 mm.
Neg. 73-10318 (BW) and 73-116 (CS), front view; 73-10319 (BW) and 73-11147
(CS), back view. NMHT 89797 (M-4298). (Figures 48, 49.)
Spring lancet, 19th century. Lancet is brass and has a brass lever
release. It is engraved with the initials "A. F." Donor claimed it was a
17th-century import from Wales, but it appears to be a standard 19th
century lancet. Donated by Edward Pryor 1930. L 45 mm, W 19 mm. Neg.
73-4235 (BW & CS). NMHT 112827 (M-2995). (Figure 105.)
Spring lancet, 19th century. Lancet is brass with a brass lever release.
Engraved "Wiegand & Snowden/Philadelphia" (manufacturer). Donated by Dr.
H. S. West 1934. L 44 mm, W 22 mm. NMHT 131386 (M-3636).
Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Standard 19th century lancet with
typical case made of wood, covered with brown leather and lined with
chamois. Case closes by a latch, and is stamped "Traunichtessticht," which
translates, "Do not trust, it stabs." Many 19th century cases were stamped
with this motto. Donated by Fred G. Orsinger 1937. Lancet: L 41 mm, W 20
mm. Case: L 71 mm, W 35 mm, H 18 mm. Neg. 73-4237 (BW & CS), without case.
NMHT 145365 (M-4510).
Spring lancet blade with case, 19th century. The case is made of wood and
covered with red paper, and has "F D" stamped on the bottom. A piece of
paper with the date "1877" is affixed to the top of the case. This is the
date that the donor received the blade from his mother, daughter of the
owner, Dr. Joseph S. Dogan (1793-1870), who practiced as a country doctor
in South Carolina. Donated by B. F. Arthur 1937. Blade: L 42 mm. Case: L
64 mm, W 20 mm, H 15 mm. NMHT 145290 (M-4513).
NOTE: In the Wellcome Museum there are two spring lancets in a case. (R
3689/1936) One of these is marked "F. D." and the other "Fischer Peter,"
which may indicate that this is the name of the maker of all instruments
so marked. The Wellcome instruments were part of the Hamonic Collections.
Dr. Hamonic listed them as 18th century instruments. Another lancet that
appears to be veterinary, because of its size, is stamped "P. Fischer"
(Wellcome 13516). Note that several items in this catalog are so marked.
Spring lancet with case, late 19th-early 20th century. Tiemann & Co.'s
spring lancet, a modified lancet sold by George Tiemann & Co. and
advertised in the Tiemann catalogs of 1879 and 1889. Lancet is made of
German silver and has a domed rather than a knob end. It is stamped
"Tiemann" on the back panel. Release lever is a short bar across the top.
Leather case is lined in red plush and has a partition in which four extra
lancet blades are contained. Lancet was one of various instruments in a
medical bag used by Dr. Augustus Stabler of Brighton, Maryland, who
practiced from 1889 to 1914. Donated by Sidney Snowden Stabler 1942.
Lancet: L 34 mm, W 16 mm. Case: L 62 mm, W 40 mm, H 23 mm. Neg. 73-5644
(BW). NMHT 163863 (M-5141). (Figure 47.)
Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Brass lancet with brown leather
case. Lancet was a part of the Squibb Ancient Pharmacy, a collection of
medical and pharmaceutical objects brought by E. Squibb and Sons to the
United States in 1932. On deposit from the American Pharmaceutical
Association 1945. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 19 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 38 mm, H 24
mm. NMHT 170211 (M-6385).
Spring lancets (2) with case, 19th century. Lancets are made of brass and
have steel lever releases. They are engraved front and back with a floral
pattern. Tip of the blade of one of the lancets is broken. Case is wood
covered with red leather and is missing the top. Donated by the University
of Pennsylvania 1959. First lancet: L 43 mm, W 21 mm. Second lancet: L 75
mm, W 49 mm, H 11 mm. NMHT 218383 (M-9260).
Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Brass lancet with brass lever
release. Case is covered with red cloth and lined with black plush. Used
by Dr. Samuel Fahnestock (1764-1836) or by his son, Dr. William Baker
Fahnestock (1804-1886) of Pennsylvania. Donated by Capt. Henry Fahnestock
MacComsey, U.S.N., and Dr. G. Horace Coshow 1968. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 20
mm. Case: L 74 mm, W 40 mm, H 26 mm. NMHT 280145 (M-12341).
Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet has a steel lever release
and is stamped "F. D." on the back panel. Other lancets have been found
with these initials but so far no manufacturer has been traced. Leather of
case is damaged. Owned by Dr. Harry Friedenwald of Baltimore, Maryland (b.
1864). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976.
Lancet: L 40 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 72 mm, W 34 mm, H 20 mm. NMHT
302606.008.
Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Brass spring lancet with a brass
lever release. Case is stamped "Traunichtessticht" (see NMHT 145365
[M-4510]). Used by Dr. Wilbur Phelps, Baltimore, Maryland (1841-1922).
Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L
38 mm, W 34 mm. Case: L 71 mm, W 34 mm, H 17 mm. Neg. 76-7757 (BW & CS),
compares lancet to a veterinary spring lancet. NMHT 302606.009. (Figure
22.)
Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Brass spring lancet with a brass
release. Case is covered with navy blue leather, lined with chamois, and
stamped with a small flower and leaf design. Owned by Dr. Launcelot Jackes
of Hancock, Maryland (b. late 18th century). Donated by the Medical and
Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 66
mm, W 34 mm, H 20 mm. NMHT 302606.039.
Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet and case are very similar to
NMHT 302606.039. The case is more rounded on top, is covered with black
leather, and bears the same floral motif. Lancet blade is broken. Owned by
Dr. George Washington Crumm of Clearspring and Jefferson, Maryland
(1811-1896). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland
1976. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 66 mm, W 38 mm, H 22 mm. NMHT
302606.056.
Spring lancet, 19th century. Brass lancet with steel lever release. Owned
by Dr. Joseph Tate Smith of Baltimore, Maryland (1850-1930). Donated by
the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L 42 mm, W
20 mm. NMHT 302606.057.
Spring lancets (2) with case, 19th century. Wood case, covered with brown
leather and lined with brown velvet, has space for two rectangular
lancets. One brass lancet, knob end, does not belong with the set. It has
a steel lever release and three settings for blade height. The rectangular
lancet, also made of brass, with an iron lever release and three settings
for the height of the blade, is unusual in that it is triggered by a slide
catch on the facing side rather than by a lever on top. The set was owned
by Dr. Charles W. Owen of Maryland (1823-1857). Donated by the Medical and
Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Rectangular lancet: L 50 mm, W 16
mm. Knob end lancet: L 42 mm, W 18 mm. Case: L 150 mm, W 34 mm, H 22 mm.
NMHT 302606.058.
Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet and case are similar to NMHT
302606.039. The leather of the case is torn and the lancet blade is
broken. Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976.
Lancet: L 42 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 66 mm, W 38 mm, H 24 mm. NMHT
302606.061.
Spring lancet with case, 19th century. The Conservation Analytical
Laboratory found the lancet to be made of a silver-copper alloy with an
iron or steel lever release. It has a border around the top and along the
edge and is marked "Reinhardt & C{o}/Balt{o}." Case is covered with black
leather and lined in pink plush. It is decorated by a gold border and a
small scroll motif. Donated by Harry L. Schrader 1972. Lancet: L 42 mm, W
21 mm. Case: L 68 mm, W 34 mm, H 20 mm. NMHT 302607 (M-14682).
Spring lancet with case, late 19th-early 20th century. Lancet is similar
to the preceding lancet. It is made of white metal[B] (probably
silver-copper) and has a border decoration along the top and around the
edge. Case, which is badly rotted from water damage, is a folding style
case and is closed by a clasp. There is a pocket for extra blades. Donated
by John and James Draper 1973. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 21 mm. Case: L 74 mm, W
40 mm, H 18 mm. NMHT 304826.067.
Spring lancet with case, late 19th-early 20th century. Brass knob end
lancet with brass lever release. Case is covered with brown leather and
lined with chamois. Case is stamped "Traunichtessticht" (See NMHT 145365
[M-4510]). Owned by Dr. F. L. Orsinger of Chicago (1852-1925). Donated by
Dr. William Orsinger 1973. Lancet: L 43 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 30
mm, H 20 mm. Neg. 74-4088 (BW & CS); 76-13535 (BW), interior view of
spring mechanism. NMHT 308730.10. (Figures 7, 39.)
Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Brass Lancet with steel lever
release. Leather of case is water damaged and is stamped
"Traunichtessticht." Latch is missing. Donated by Peter H. Smith Jr., 1975
Lancet: L 50 mm, W 25 mm (w/ blade extended), H 15 mm. Case: L 75 mm, W 42
mm, H 23 mm. NMHT 316508.01.
Spring lancet with case, 18th-early 19th century. Wooden case has a
hand-carved space for lancet. Lancet is brass and has an unusual boot
shape. The short lever release operates a catch at the very top of the
lancet casing. The large blade has a guard that is regulated by a screw on
the side. Purchased 1976. Lancet: L 35 mm, W 24 mm. Case: L 68 mm, W 33
mm, H 20 mm. Neg. 76-9114 (BW). NMHT 316478. (Figure 46.)
Spring lancet, late 18th-early 19th century. Unusually shaped large brass
and steel spring lancet, nicely decorated and engraved with the name "M.
A. Prizzi." Lancet is set by a slide cocking lever on the facing side and
released by another lever. A brass plate at the top of the lancet can be
moved back and forth by a screw in order to regulate the depth of cut of
the lancet blade. Lancet comes with a spare blade. Purchased 1975. Lancet:
L 86 mm. Neg. 76-7763 (BW, CS). NMHT 320033.06. (Figure 45.)
Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet is brass with a steel lever
release and has a zig-zag decoration on the front and back panels. Case is
covered with brown leather and lined with chamois and has a small basket
of flowers stamped on the top. Purchased 1976. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 19 mm.
Case: L 71 mm. W 34 mm. H 19 mm. Neg. 73-4236 (BW & CS). NMHT 321636.01.
(Figure 6.)
Spring lancet, 19th century. Lancet is engraved "F. D." on back (see NMHT
302606.008). Analysis by the Conservation Laboratory shows that the lancet
is made of brass composed of 70% copper and 30% zinc plated with a
tin-lead alloy. Most of the plating has been rubbed away. The blade,
cocking lever, and release lever are of iron or steel. Purchased 1976.
Lancet: L 43 mm. W 21 mm. NMHT 321636.02.
Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet is brass and has a brass
lever release. Engraved "Goulding/New York" (manufacturer). Case is made
of wood, covered with black leather and lined with light brown plush. It
has a tab closure. Lancet and case were not originally a set; the case was
designed for a larger lancet. Donated by the American Pharmaceutical
Association 1970. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 74 mm. W 38 mm. H 12
mm. NMHT 321641 (M-13060).
Spring lancet with case, late 19th century. Silver lancet with a button
release and a border decorating the top and edge. Button release lancets
were sold in the late 19th century for slightly more than lever release
lancets. Analysis by the Conservation Laboratory shows that the silver is
not sterling but a silver-copper alloy containing twice as much copper as
sterling silver. The button release is made of ferrous metal plated with
silver. The blade and cocking lever are also of ferrous metal. The case is
made of wood, covered with brown leather and trimmed with gold leaf. It is
closed by an ornate clasp made of ferrous metal plated with brass. Donated
by the American Pharmaceutical Association 1970. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 22 mm.
Case: L 73 mm, W 40 mm, H 11 mm. NMHT 321641 (M-13060.1).
Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Silver lancet with lever release
described by seller as dating from 1800, although it is probably of a
later date. Lancet has a border decoration, and the back plate is opened
by a shell-design protuberance. The case is covered with brown leather
with gold leaf edging, and is stamped "A. St." Case is lined with rose
plush below and white silk above. Lancet is engraved "Cotzand." Purchased
1976. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 17 mm. Case: L 68 mm, W 37 mm, H 20 mm. Neg.
76-7752 (BW, CS). NMHT 321687.02. (Figure 44.)
Spring lancet with case, late 19th century. Silver lancet with a button
release and a border decorating the top and the edge. Mechanism is frozen.
Purchased 1976. Lancet: L 40 mm. NMHT 321697.01.
Spring lancet, late 19th century. White metal including the blade, which
may have been a replacement for the original. The blade is more highly
polished than the case. The black case is worn so that an indistinct mark
appears on its cover. It is lined with chamois. Lancet: L 41 mm, W 17 mm,
blade extends 10 mm. Case: L 65 mm, W 38 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.13.
Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Brass lancet with steel lever
release. Case is covered with brown leather and lined with chamois.
Leather is torn and latch is missing. Owned by Dr. Launcelot Jackes of
Hancock, Maryland (b. late 18th c.). Donated by the Medical and
Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 72
mm, W 42 mm, H 24 mm. NMHT 302616.040.
Spring lancets (2) with case, late 18th-early 19th century. Pair of brass
lancets in a hand-carved wooden case. First lancet has a steel lever
release and is engraved with a zig-zag pattern and the initials "F. D."
Second lancet is shorter than usual and missing the lever release and
cocking lever. Case has space cut for each lancet and an additional space
for extra blades or a thumb lancet. Purchased 1976. First lancet: L 40 mm.
Second lancet: L 30 mm. Case: L 84 mm, W 56 mm, H 17 mm. NMHT 321697.02.
Spring lancet, late 19th century. Brass decorated with flowers, has tulip
and leaves on reverse side with iron blade and lever. Lancet: L 39 mm, W
21 mm. Case: L 65 mm, W 33 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.14.
Spring lancet, late 19th century. Brass case is unmarked. The leather case
had a red lining and a top that slips off. Lancet: L 44 mm, W 18 mm. Case:
L 77 mm, W 35 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.15.
Spring lancet, late 19th century. Brass case with unclear lettering
"WIEGANL Phila Powten." Leather case has red lining and closes with a
hook. Lancet: L 41 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 33 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.9.
Spring lancet, late 19th century. Brass case. Leather case has a chamois
lining and closed with a hook. An eagle on the cover is worn. Lancet: L 43
mm, W 19 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 35 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.10.
Spring lancet, late 19th century. Light yellow brass case. Case is leather
(worn) with a chamois lining and hook closure. Lancet: L 41 mm, W 20 mm.
Case: L 71 mm, W 35 mm. NMHT 1977.0989.11.
Spring lancet, late 19th century. Brass case with small guard over blade.
Cover on the back appears to be a replacement for the original. Crude
wooden case is red and worn. Lancet: L 45 mm, W 33 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.12.
Spring lancet, late 19th century. Brass case with cover of the lancet
missing. Leather case has a chamois lining and hook closure. Lancet: L 38
mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 34 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.7.
Spring lancet, late 19th century. Lancet is of white metal including the
blade. The leather case has a gold decoration around the edges. Lancet: L
41 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 36 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.8.
NOTE: For additional spring lancets, see "Cupping Sets" (NMHT 268719
[M-11878]) and "Related Artifacts" (NMHT 199536 [M-6689] and NMHT 285125
[M-12352]).