The instrument shown is an arterial tenaculum (specifically a ligature or aneurism needle variety), crafted by the French manufacturer Blanc of Paris around the mid-19th century. In terms of construction, it features a high-grade steel shaft that transitions into a delicate, slender hook designed for the precise manipulation of blood vessels during amputations. The distinctive "tiny hole" at the tip of the curve is a ligature eyelet, which allowed surgeons to thread silk or linen sutures directly through the instrument; this enabled them to simultaneously hook an artery and pass the thread behind it for rapid ligation—a critical step in preventing hemorrhage on the battlefield. The handle is typical of the pre-septic era (pre-1890s), featuring a checkered or cross-hatched pattern for a secure grip when slick with blood. This handle was commonly carved from ebony or molded from gutta-percha, a natural latex that was a precursor to modern plastics, chosen for its durability and aesthetic appeal before the advent of all-metal, autoclavable instruments

Pictures are description. Please let me know if you have any questions. Item is not for use. It is intended for historical collecting purposes.