746. CIVIL WAR ERA SURGEON'S MECHANICAL SAW Excessively rare Civil War era medical instrument, a surgeon's handheld "Mollet type" mechanical circular saw in outstanding condition. This medical artifact still appears quite functional, albeit unforgiving, and was used during operations that required the resection of bone. The in-line tool measures 12" from the tip of its checkered ebony hand grip handle to the leading edge of its cutting disc. The device appears similar to a small hand drill but this tool performs its medical function in a different way. An attached swivel handle of tooled ebony is connected to a drive train of four machined in-line circular brass gears that power a 1 1/8" diameter case-hardened cutting blade. The blade's outer edge has multiple small teeth (notches) that alternate with notches similar to that found on a modern carbon saw blade. The unmarked mechanism bears some age discoloration and scattered rust on the steel shanks. The mechanical action is excellent and bears little resistance, overall very good. An exceptionally rare Civil War-era medical implement, nearly impossible to locate. $2,500 - 3,500