MID-CENTURY LEATHER GLADSTONE DOCTOR'S BAG WITH DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUMENTS COMPLETE MEDICAL INSPECTION SET (c. 1930s–1950s)

PRICE: £110

A compelling, highly authentic mid-20th-century practitioner's lot, featuring a classic brown leather Gladstone-style doctor's bag complete with its original period diagnostic instruments. This set offers an evocative window into the era of home visits and general medicine.
The Gladstone Bag & Structure: Crafted from robust brown leather, the bag measures 39cm in length and features a classic hinged wide-opening mechanism, complete with its original leather handle and key (the locking mechanism is currently non-operational). The interior is lined with its original period fabric, showing honest age-related staining but remaining structurally sound. Externally, the leather is in good vintage condition, exhibiting a fine patina with the exception of a small missing piece on one upper corner, exposing the internal metal frame.

Included Instruments:
  1. Reflex Hammer (Morrison, Belfast): Featuring a turned wooden handle fitted with a thick rubber-rimmed circular head. The head is secured to the shaft via an authentic period flat-head (non-cross) screw. The central metal core is deeply stamped with the maker's mark: "MORRISON BELFAST".
  2. Binaural Stethoscope: A metal and rubber stethoscope with characteristic tarnished orange-coloured rubber tubing. The two chrome or nickel-plated binaural metal arms are joined by a central folding rivet mechanism. The earpieces are crafted from aged cream/yellowish bakelite or early plastic. The chest piece consists of a classic metal diaphragm housing a black membrane secured by a metal retaining ring.
  3. Sphygmomanometer / Tensiometer Set (Accoson / Von Recklinghausen): A complete blood pressure monitoring kit including a fabric-and-rubber arm cuff, three structural rubber tubes, and a hand inflation pump. The metal valve of the black pump is stamped "ACCOSON", while the highly distinct tonometer dial is engraved: "nach Dr von Recklinghausen / ges. gesch. Marke." The mechanical tonometer gauge remains responsive and operational. The vintage rubber elements are dry and intact but display significant signs of fragility in localized areas.

Condition: The entire set is in honest, untouched vintage condition. While the mechanical and wooden elements remain sturdy and the inscriptions are perfectly legible, the rubber components on the stethoscope and tensiometer show natural age-related degradation (brittleness/hardening). The bag shows typical wear associated with institutional field use, heavily reinforcing its medical history.

Dimensions (Bag):
  • Length: 39.0cm
  • Width: 14.5cm
  • Height (excluding handle): 18.0cm

Please note: This historical medical apparatus is sold strictly as a decorative and collectable object for display or historical study. It is completely obsolete and is not intended or certified for any modern medical, diagnostic, or clinical use.

Shipping Information:
  • Shipping is available at the buyer's expense.
  • We routinely use Royal Mail Tracked 24 for parcels up to 20kg to ensure secure, traceable transit.