Here is a very good quality field surgeon's mahogany box dating from the early part of the 1800's, maybe used in the Napoleonic Wars. The mahogany box is a good small size with a brass name plate on the lid, a brass escutcheon and two cut in brass fixing clasps - a sign of quality. The box is edged with ebony stringing and still retains many its original surgical instruments, in a fitted purple velvet interior.
There are various scalpels with ebony patterned handles, three hooks and chain, a small saw with the ebony handle, some large needles and  a knife again with the same ebony handle all of the tools are stamped with the name Savigny & Co. There are also a couple of 19th century scissors which aren't the original ones, but have a good age.
Savigny were the premier London makers of surgical and dental instruments in the 1700s and 1800s and were known for their innovative medical devices. They were in business for around 150 years being established around 1720/30. Trade cards exist for Paul Savigny in 1740 and John Savigny in 1793 where they are described as surgical instrument makers.
The company produced catalogues which were published in the 1800s where it states that their tools were used 'by the most eminent hospitals in London'.
The company also made claims that they're tools had 'an extraordinary degree of accuracy and lessened the pain for patients'...In part that may have been true as surgical tools did improve in the second half of the 18th century with the use of cast steel, in place of shear or blister steel, which was less brittle and could be carved to give a very sharp edge. The stories this small box could tell of its travels would be so interesting but perhaps too gruesome....
The box measures 20cm w x 9cm d x 5cm h.