Unique Antique Surgeons Amputation or Liston Knife by S. Maw Son and Thompson of London c1880 - Converted to a Fighting Knife with Leather Sheath
Here on offer is an antique amputation knife by S. Maw Son and Thompson of London, circa 1880.
What makes this example unique, is the fact it has been converted into a lethal military fighting knife with the blade now being protected by a hard leather sheath.
This fine and rare antique knife started life as a surgeon’s amputation knife, also known as a Liston knife.
Liston knives are named after their inventor, Robert Liston (1794-1847), a Scottish surgeon renowned for his speed and skill in amputation. Liston performed the first operation in Britain under anaesthetic, taking just 25 seconds.
The knife itself has a tapered handle with two flat side edges, that has been made from a solid piece of dark Mahogony. The whole handle is in excellent condition and has a smooth finish being stamped on one of the flat edges with the letters:
B.R. Co.
I can’t find out to who this refers to, but was possibly a Victorian distributer of surgical instruments, as this knife would have been part of a surgical set of instruments.
The metal ribbed ferrell collar is unmarked but looks to be made from silver and is in mint condition.
The 8.5” long single edged steel blade has been made from top quality London surgical steel, possibly the best steel that was available in the Victorian period.
The blade retains a sharp cutting edge with some tiny nicks that can easily be removed. It also now has some dark marks and greying to the finish, some of which can be polished out.
On one side of the ricasso it is stamped with the makers details:
S MAW SON
LONDON
& THOMPSON
The English maker, Maw, where a family of surgical instrument makers established in 1807 as Hornby and Maw of Fenchurch Street, London. In 1822 it was recorded as George Maw, of 55 Aldermansbury. Some 10 years later they are at 54 and 55 Aldermansbury as John and Solomon and then at 11 Aldersgate St.
John disappears from the name shortly afterwards as by 1840 it is recorded only as Solomon Maw.
In 1870 Solomon and a Son amalgamated with a Thompson to form S Maw Son and Thompson.
It is not clear which Thompson actually amalgamated with Maw?
A J. Thompson Surgical Instrument Maker operated out of Great Windmill Street from about 1817 to circa 1850. But there is no trace of him in the 1855 directory. A Charles Henry Thompson located at 49 Carnaby St. does appear in the 1860 directory as a cutler, but is absent from the 1870 directory?
The S Maw Son and Thompson partnership continued up until at least 1895, but by 1900 the name had become S Maw Son and Sons.
Therefore, this would date this knife to between 1870 and 1895, so around 1880.
At some point in its life it has had a slightly curved brass rectangular finger/crossguard fitted and soldered in place. Two rounded points extent from both sides and on one surface it has a small hole drilled, possibly for a lanyard of some type?
It also comes with a custom made hard dark leather, over wood, stitched sheath, with a large belt loop stitched to the back, that would fit a military wide Sam Brown belt. It is in great undamaged condition with just some rub marks to the tip.
Given this knife was made around 1880, it could have been adapted as a fighting knife for use during the first or second Boer wars? If only it could talk!
The blade measures 8.5” (21.5cm) and the knife itself is 13” (33cm) long.
It weighs 190g.
Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.
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Code: 51849