2006.0052

Hey's skull saw based on a saw designed by Leeds Surgeon, William Hey, in the late 18th/early 19th century. A skull saw, consisting of a flat blade affixed to a handle in an inward curving part of the blade; one side of the blade is flat and serrated and the other side is rounded and serrated; the flat portion of the handle has a criss-cross pattern for better gripping. Used for trepanning and necropsy.

Inscription

SAVIGNY/ & [Co]

Production date

1860-1880

Production place

London

Production organisations

Savigny & Co

Labels

This was used for sawing through the skull. The small head of the saw was meant to reduce the bone shards produced and prevent them from flying into the surgeon’s face.
By Lilli, Swarthmore Education Centre