An original surgical instrument, a tonsil guillotine by Arnold & Sons, London, matching the illustration in the firm’s 1873 catalogue, shown here. This elegant but formidable device was used in the late 19th century for rapid tonsillectomy, removing the tonsil in a single swift movement.
 
The design features:
Slender nickel‑plated steel body with finger rings and thumb ring for precise control deep in the throat.
A sliding loop‑blade that races through the circular opening at the distal end, cleanly severing the tonsil once it has been engaged.
Side trigger and guide rod mechanism, characteristic of Luer‑type guillotines illustrated in contemporary surgical texts and the Arnold catalogue.
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Tonsil guillotines were introduced in the early 19th century and became the standard tool for tonsillectomy; by the early 1900s they were largely abandoned in favour of scalpel and forceps techniques. Instruments like this are now prized as evocative survivors from the dramatic era of Victorian throat surgery.
 
Condition
Good antique condition with some expected age‑related spots and light wear to the plating. The sliding blade and mechanisms still move along the track; not tested for sharpness. Please examine the photos closely for details.
 
Ideal for
- Collectors of medical and surgical antiques
- Cabinets of curiosity, apothecary or gothic‑themed interiors
- Teaching collections illustrating the history of ENT and tonsillectomy
 
Important
Sold strictly as a historical collectible. Not sterile, not tested, and absolutely not intended for modern medical or practical use.
 
Carefully packed and shipped tracked from the UK – a rare, documented Arnold & Sons example for the serious medical‑history enthusiast.
 
The Science Museum in London has an example in their collection which can be viewed via the link below:
 
https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co170732/tonsil-guillotine
 
This instrument measures 24.5cm (9.65") in length.