This near-complete surgical set was made for the Union Army during the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865 by the American Instrument maker Gemrig.

Although difficult to discern from the images, the brass plate at the top of the wood box (the cartouche) reads “U.S.A. Medical Dep.t.”

Further indication that this is a military surgical set is the presence of military latches which are those sliding brass latches on the lateral exterior sides of the box rather than a keyed lock (although I have seen exceptions to this general rule