This little beauty is an Antique (1865-1875) Millikin Folding Pocket Surgical Knife known as a ‘Bistoury’, (straight and pointed or blunt surgical knife), made of steel by John Millikin (late Bigg & Millikin) of 12, Southwark Street, London. It looks like a penknife!
It is in fair used condition, except that the tip has broken off one of the two knives. It does have some surface blemishes and the knives are very difficult to push back into the holder. A rare survivor from an era pre-anaesthetics! The only other I have seen is in the London Science Museum!
This would make a fun addition to a medical instruments collection.
When folded, measures approximately 9.9cm (4″) in length.
Marked Millikans, Southwark St.which dates it to 1865-1875. Millikin, a medical and surgical instrument supplier, were based in St Thomas’s Street pre-1865 and were in Southwark Street for less than 10 years before moving back to St. Thomas’s Street, London in 1875.
