This is a Maw urethral catheter and bougie set made for the British military the case and each item carry the military broad arrow.
The metal case holds a graded run of curved male urethral catheters with side‑eyes near the tip, plus straight bougies / sounds with numbered knurled ends. Sets like this were supplied by London surgical makers such as S. Maw & Son / Maw, Son & Thompson for hospital and military use, allowing the surgeon to choose the correct size for probing, dilating strictures, or passing a catheter into the bladder.​ The surgeon lubricated an appropriately sized sound or catheter and passed it gently along the urethra into the bladder, either to relieve urinary retention, explore for obstruction, or gradually stretch (dilate) a urethral stricture. Having a complete graded set in one sterilisable case meant the operator could step up or down in size as needed during treatment.​
Fitted metal case containing a graduated set of male urethral catheters and bougies, both straight and curved. Each catheter is numbered on the knurled end to indicate size and have lateral drainage eyes near the tip.
The set is stamped “Maw & Son” (Samuel Maw & Son, London surgical instrument makers) and bears the War Department broad arrow, showing it was made for British military medical use.​
Samuel Maw traded as S. Maw & Son from 1860, and as Maw, Son & Thompson from 1870; however, the shorter “Maw & Son” mark continued in use on some instruments into the late 19th century.​
The all‑metal nickel‑plated / stainless style case with rounded corners and simple clasp corresponds to late‑Victorian military field sets rather than earlier mahogany‑boxed examples.​
Combined with the broad‑arrow stamp, a safe dating is circa 1880–1900 (late Victorian into very early Edwardian).
The case measures 33 x 11.5cm (13" x 4.5").
This set is offered as an interesting collectible for display purposes only.
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