1800s BLOODLETTING DEVICE - ***Solved***

[ModernMiner]

1800's BLOODLETTING DEVICE - ***Solved***

I dug this thingy up today at an early 1800's property. At first I thought I had dug a small jewelry box, but then woke up.
I think it's brass and possibly an electrical do-dad.
Any ideas? No writing anywhere on it.
Thanks,
MM

 

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[lostcauses]

Re: 1800's BLOODLETTING DEVICE - ***Solved***

Years ago at an antique show, I came across one of these on a table. I am looking the thing over trying to figure out what it was. I hit the release, It was a spring wound device: that was wound and on the table.

The lucky part was my hand was on the edge of it and not under it.. I would not have had a hand... Nasty thing when all them blades are out..

Of course after the blades were released I could see what it was.. I did let the vender know, and watched him turn white when I showed him the blades, He had no idea of how he did not trash his hands with the thing...

Yep a bleeder all right..

 

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[ModernMiner]

Re: 1800's BLOODLETTING DEVICE - ***Solved***

More info and pictures found today on this item:
THE SCARIFICATOR
Why bleed with one spring-loaded blade when you could have 4, 12, or even 20?! As long ago as the 17th century there were multi-bladed bleeders called scarificators. These became very popular in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Like spring lancets, they came in every size and description. Figures 19 and 20 show a basic octagonal English scarificator. The case is brass and the mechanism and blades are steel. There is a depth adjuster for the blades on the top and the blades are cocked by the lever on top. The release switch is on the side. This allowed the blades to swing around, making multiple cuts at once. Scarificators with pointed V-shaped blades are probably pre-1820. Those with slightly rounded blades are later. Round scarificators are usually French in design and post-1860 (often around 1900!) Scarificators that have a mechanism allowing the blades to stay in the half-cocked position are probably post-1830.

Also, today I learned that George Washington bled to death after a device like this was used on him. Here is a response I received from the local museum:
"Doug, That is amazing. I have never actually seen one of the devices. Your co-worker is correct. George Washington actually bled to death. The doctor let blood something like 12 times in 2 days."

I'm still looking for someone to test this baby out. Any takers?
-MM-

 

[EDDE]

Re: 1800's BLOODLETTING DEVICE - ***Solved***

Thats just creepy

 

[terpfan]

Re: 1800's BLOODLETTING DEVICE - ***Solved***

Doug, this is one really cool thread. I like this find as much as your 1864 IH. What a a conversation piece. That said, I wonder how many of us (me included) would have chucked this in with our trash finds, and never would have learned what a treasure we had unearthed? Great ID Prokasia, and welcome to TNET!

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: 1800's BLOODLETTING DEVICE - ***Solved***

Doug, this is one really cool thread. I like this find as much as your 1864 IH. What a a conversation piece. That said, I wonder how many of us (me included) would have chucked this in with our trash finds, and never would have learned what a treasure we had unearthed? Great ID Prokasia, and welcome to TNET!

I agree. It almost did end up in the trash, because I thought it was just an electrical box. Glad I kept it.
Thanks,
Doug

 

[Dimeman]

Re: 1800's BLOODLETTING DEVICE - ***Solved***

Doug, this is one really cool thread. I like this find as much as your 1864 IH. What a a conversation piece. That said, I wonder how many of us (me included) would have chucked this in with our trash finds, and never would have learned what a treasure we had unearthed? Great ID Prokasia, and welcome to TNET!

I agree. It almost did end up in the trash, because I thought it was just an electrical box. Glad I kept it.
Thanks,
Doug

Very rare item to see on here!!!!! Dangerous and unusual !!!! Gald you didn't play with it and slice yourself up.

 

[Narthoniel]

Re: 1800's BLOODLETTING DEVICE - ***Solved***

That is an incredible find. Is it still functional, do any of the original moving parts still move? What condition is it in? Have you tried it on any neighborhood animals yet? I am curious, fill me in!
Anthony

 

[nova]

Re: 1800's BLOODLETTING DEVICE - ***Solved***

That is an incredible find. Is it still functional, do any of the original moving parts still move? What condition is it in? Have you tried it on any neighborhood animals yet? I am curious, fill me in!
Anthony
[/quote Have you tried it on any neighbor animals yet? THAT COMMENT WAS TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR.
I hope you don,t have animals.
Novaman.

 

[Narthoniel]

Re: 1800's BLOODLETTING DEVICE - ***Solved***

Some people don't have a sense of humor. I can see you are one of them, and I am truly sorrowed on your behalf.
Anthony

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: 1800's BLOODLETTING DEVICE - ***Solved***

That is an incredible find. Is it still functional, do any of the original moving parts still move? What condition is it in? Have you tried it on any neighborhood animals yet? I am curious, fill me in!
Anthony

Thanks Anthony.
I haven't messed with it at all. I was offered $50 for it already from a guy that collects these old medical devices. He has some with less blades in mint condition too.
I have been thinking about donating it to our local museum instead. They are building a new museum and will need things to fill it up with. I think it would be cool to have this in there with my name on it. I may donate some blood too if this sucker decides to spring open
I didn't test it on any animals, but would love to try it out on George Bush and some of these CEO crooks.
-MM-

That is an incredible find. Is it still functional, do any of the original moving parts still move? What condition is it in? Have you tried it on any neighborhood animals yet? I am curious, fill me in!
Anthony
[/quote Have you tried it on any neighbor animals yet? THAT COMMENT WAS TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR.
I hope you don,t have animals.
Novaman.

Nova,
I'm sure Anthony was just kidding. Sorry his joke didn't sit well with you. I too am a big jokester, so let me know if I ever get out of line too. ***Warning: don't look at my dress picture, it WILL make you sick.
Have a great weekend and get that Nova out for a drive.
-MM-

This is a fascinating find. I am not squeamish, but the sight of that one coming at me wielded by some quack with tremors would require some meditation.
The material culture of your current project-house is astonishingly varied and fortuitously interesting.
I look forward to seeing the future finds.

Thanks Pleh.
I'll be back at it again with a couple of fellow TN members on Saturday if they don't wuss out because of a slight chance of rain.
-MM-

 

[nova]

Re: 1800's BLOODLETTING DEVICE - ***Solved***

Your find is 100% museum quality. What a great conversation piece. As far as the animals It's all good.

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: 1800's BLOODLETTING DEVICE - ***Solved***

Your find is 100% museum quality. What a great conversation piece. As far as the animals It's all good.

Thanks Big guy.
I'll never forget the 66 Nova SS (Marina blue) a guy had in our town in the mid 70's. What a beautiful car. If I ever hit the lottery I'm getting one. That's one of my all time favorite cars & colors.
-MM-