Here is a U.S. military medical instrument pocket kit from the World War 1 era (1914-18). It is a combination of a folding metal case that has a patent date of Nov. 6, 1912 and the brand stamp of Fred. Haslam Co. One of the tools is marked "Langbein" and the other 2 have a symbol that I can't find.

Charles Langbein was a specialized cutler and surgical instrument maker operating out of Brooklyn, New York. His company was renowned for creating finely finished, all-metal tools specifically tailored for military field surgeries where wooden or bone handles could not be properly sterilized.

Fred Haslam & Co. (Brooklyn, NY): Established in 1848, Fred Haslam & Co. was a highly prominent American contractor that supplied custom surgical pocket kits, field operation sets, and veterinary kits to the U.S. Army Medical Department during the late 19th century and throughout World War I.

The Dual Stamp ("LANGBEIN" + "HASLAM"): When the United States entered WWI in 1917, the sudden demand for surgical instruments drastically outpaced production capability. To meet government contracts, American suppliers like Haslam and Langbeins joined forces to provide high-quality steel tools, resulting in both the original manufacturer stamp and the American distributor mark appearing on the same tool

Design & Materials: Crafted entirely from plain stainless steel or nickel-plated steel to withstand rigorous chemical and thermal sterilization processes without degradation.

Components: Contains specialized surgical blades—including a long curved hernia bistoury—designed with minimalist, flat metal handles to avoid trapping bacteria

The 1912 Patent: The date stamped on this set refers to a specific United States mechanical patent granted in November 1912 for the specialized fold-open mechanism of the case. This mechanical design was engineered to keep individual steel blades securely clamped in place during intense transport in a medic's field bag while remaining easy to unfold completely for boiling or chemical sanitization.

Good antique condition. Not too bad for it's age and purpose. There are lots of little spots of wear and oxidation. The bottom lip looks a little flared best seen in the last photo. One of the tools is missing. Cleaned and sanitized.

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