This desirable set was retailed by F.G. Otto & Sons of c. 1875-1898, in either New York or New Jersey. The firm operated from 64 Chatham Street in New York from 1875 into the 1880s before expanding their business with a move to Jersey City, where they operated under the same name until at least 1914. Many of the instruments in this set bear the "OTTO&SONS" mark. A copy of the firms catalogue is held in the National Library of Medicine and appears to list this particular set as their "Amputating and Trephining Case" with a price of $44 including the "mahogany case with velvet lining". This set is listed as including the instruments of their "Plain Amputation Case" along with some additional items. Most of the instruments in this set have matching checkered ebony grips. The set includes all of the typical tools found in a surgeon's amputation set from the period including a capital saw, smaller bone/metacarpal saw, large and medium amputating knives, a small catlin, scalpel, tourniquet, trephine, trephine brush, Hey's skull saw, and more. All of the items are contained in the included mahogany case that has a fitted interior lined with plum velvet.

Very fine overall, the metal of the instruments generally bright with some showing a light speckling of oxidation/patina and the grips generally showing very minimal wear. The case is very good with minimal handling/storage wear and some of the interior lining showing moderate fading to a grey/tan. An attractive and incredibly complete late 19th century surgeon's kit!