LINCOLN'S 
PATENT 
ARTIFICIAL ARM. 
a?. 
NO. Kb GREEN STREET, 
BOSTON, MASS. 
FEBRUARY, 18 G 6. INSTRUCTIONS TO SOLDIERS 
APPLYING FOR 
\Extract from Circular from the Suryeon General 
U. S. Army to the Medical Directors.J 
"The application should be made to any of the De- 
partment of Medical Directors, who, if satisfied of the 
correctness of the claim, will order a limb from any 
one of the manufacturers who are authorized to supply 
such limbs, and the applicant may select from among 
them." 
" Proof must be furnished that the applicant was an 
enlisted man at the time of losing the limb, and that 
the limb was lost in the line of duty. This proof, if 
still in the service, will consist of a certificate from the 
commanding officer, surgeon in charge, or any com- 
missioned officer personally cognizant of the facts of 
the case. If discharged from the service, his discharge 
papers must be submitted for examination, with his 
own affidavit of the time, place, and manner of losing 
the limb, and that he has never been supplied with an 
Artificial Limb, or apparatus, by the United States, or 
order for one, and, if possible, the certificate 
of his former commanding officer, or surgeon in 
charge." 
"Instructions for the measurement of the limb, or 
apparatus, will be forwarded to the applicant by the 
manufacturer." 
" Soldiers are not allowed to purchase an Artificial 
Limb, and receive the commutation value thereof in 
money; nor will any money so expended be refunded 
out of the Government appropriation." 
" Commissioned officers are not entitled to the bene- 
fit of the provision made by Congress for supplying 
Artificial Limbs for soldiers." ARTIFICIAL ARMS. 
Intelligent surgeons have always recognized the 
skill and philanthropy of compensatory art-the sup-, 
plying of substitutes for lost parts of the human sys- 
tem - as standing next in importance to operative 
surgery. The one removes a diseased or injured mem- 
ber to save a life ; the other attempts to supply the 
place of the lost part, that the life so saved may be 
more complete, useful, and happy. One labors that a 
person may live; the other, that the person may he 
thankful for the life thus saved. 
The attention of the ingenious and humane has 
often been directed to the construction of some substi- 
tute for a lost arm ; something that should be beautiful 
and graceful, and, if possible, useful. The results of 
these efforts have been as various as the minds that 
originated them ; but very few have been found of suf- 
ficient vitality to survive for any considerable time. 
As in the case of the loss of a leg, a simple Peg, 
which is neither beautiful nor graceful, is found to be 
very useful, and easily and readily applied, so in the 
loss of an arm, any simple arrangement by which a 
Hook could be attached to the remaining portion of the 
arm was found to be very useful, and easily applied, 
but, like the Peg, was entirely', destitute of that beauty 4 
ARTIFICIAL ARMS. 
and comeliness which are so desirable to give a con- 
sciousness to the wearer of the fitness of things. 
The great object to be attained, then, is to combine 
as many useful features - those that can be made 
practically available in the " rough and tumble " of 
every-day life - as possible in an artificial arm, and 
still have it susceptible of artistic beauty and finish; 
and the arm that shall combine these features most 
completely will best answer the want which every one 
feels who has been so unfortunate as to be deprived of 
one of his own. 
In all artificial arms heretofore constructed, mechan- 
ism more or less complicated has been introduced to 
give motion to the fingers of the hand, and to the fore- 
arm, where an artificial elbow-joint was necessary, and 
to bring those motions under the control of the will. 
This was attempting to accomplish what was of no prac- 
tical value, except, perhaps, in very rare instances, 
where both arms were amputated, and where a sufficient 
portion of one of them remained to enable the wearer to 
operate the necessary mechanism; for whatever could 
by any possibility be done with such an artificial hand 
and arm would always be done with infinitely greater 
facility and satisfaction by the remaining hand and arm. 
All this complicated mechanism, while it serves no 
really useful purpose, tends to make the arm frail, and 
subjects the wearer to the alternative of an almost con- 
stant expenditure of time, money, and patience to keep 
bis arm in repair, or a consciousness that he carries 
about with him an imperfect, incomplete, and useless 
article. 
Lincoln's Patent Artificial Arm now stands pre- ARTIFICIAL ARMS. 
5 
eminent among all substitutes for a lost arm, in real 
usefulness, especially for those, who, having lost an 
arm, are still obliged to procure their living by the 
labor of their hands. At the same time it is artistic 
and beautiful in its shapes and appearances; thus af- 
fording the wearer the consciousness that what he uses 
to conceal his loss, and to assist him in his labors and 
pleasures, is no disgusting appendage, but, on the con- 
trary, is entirely worthy to fill the "vacant sleeve." 
All automatic action, so called, is dispensed with ; and, 
instead, a most beautiful and complete combination of 
simple elements, which is compatible with the most 
perfectly natural appearance, and, at the same time, 
makes it as useful in all the requirements of labor or 
pleasure as is possible in an artificial arm. 
No attempt is made to introduce mechanism into any 
part of the hand except the thumb, which is its control- 
ling member. Here a powerful spring is introduced to 
enable it to press firmly upon any object introduced 
between it and the first two fingers of the hand. This 
enables the hand to hold a fork, pen, book, memoran- 
dum-card while writing upon it, or any other thing for 
which that position of the thumb and fingers can ever 
be made useful. The hooking form and rigid construc- 
tion of the fingers, at the same time that it gives the 
hand an easy and natural appearance, enables it to car- 
ry a pail of water, the valise in travelling, the lines in 
driving a horse, to assist the other hand in lifting and 
carrying where two hands were indispensable, and a 
great variety of other uses which leave the remaining 
hand free for other indispensable purposes, which are 
very important considerations. 6 
ARTIFICIAL ARMS. 
The fixed position of the arm (for cases of amputa- 
tion above the elbow-joint) is useful in carrying an 
extra garment, a basket or bucket in marketing, indeed 
in almost any thing where the sound arm would be 
used in that position. The mechanism is strong and 
reliable, enabling the wearer to carry as much on the 
artificial as he would ordinarily wish to carry on the 
sound arm. 
The foregoing are only samples of the many uses 
to which the arm can be put while in its perfect and 
complete condition. It can be changed almost instantly 
into an implement for performing almost all the coarser 
and severer kinds of labor (for which directions will be 
found below) : a hook or any implement for any special 
or general purpose can be inserted and made fast in the 
end of the wrist. The farmer can plough, hoe, shovel, 
mow, pitch hay, chop wood, and, indeed, perform by its 
aid almost all the labor he finds to do on the farm. The 
laborer, among other things, can trundle a wheel-barrow 
with quite as large a load as ever he could before he 
lost a hand. Indeed an intelligent and persevering 
wearer will hardly find a limit to its usefulness. It is 
simple, strong, durable, and handsome. A hook and 
wrench accompany each arm as a part of it. The in- 
ventor of these combinations lays great stress upon 
this feature of the arm ; for it so readily enables 
the wearer to use all the strength and ability he 
possesses to accomplish the various processes of use- 
ful labor. 
To be more fully convinced of all this, it is only 
necessary to read carefully the testimonials herewith 
presented. These persons are all reliable, and will ARTIFICIAL ARMS. 
7 
gladly furnish any further information by addressing 
them on the subject. 
The hand is disengaged from the. arm in the follow- 
ing manner : A little bolt which is seen at the wrist 
(which prevents the hand from turning when in use, 
or when in a crowd) should be slipped outward with 
the thumb nail, and the hand turned backward (if the 
right hand, over from you; if the left, over towards 
you), about half way round, which will bring the palm 
of the hand from you, or on the outside of the arm ; 
then slip the hand towards you on the wrist-joint a lit- 
tle, and it is done. It can be replaced by a reverse 
process. 
This arm has been before three different Boards of 
Army Surgeons, appointed, at different times, by the 
Surgeon-General United-States Army, to select, from 
among the different manufacturers or patentees, such 
models of arms as were most worthy to be furnished by 
the Government to the gallant soldiers and sailors who 
have lost arms in its service; and it received in each 
case unqualified approbation and recommendation, and 
has been adopted by him to be furnished, free of charge, 
on Government orders, to soldiers and sailors mutilated 
in the service ; and the subscriber is duly commissioned 
to supply them for all such. Medical Directors of De- 
partments for the United-States Army, and Surgeons 
in charge of Naval Hospitals for the United-States 
Navy, are authorized to issue orders for this arm. 
For instructions how to proceed in case of a soldier, 
see the second page of the cover. It will always 
be made of the very best materials, in the most 
thorough and workmanlike manner, and fully war- 8 
ARTIFICIAL ARMS. 
ranted. No charge is ever made above the price paid 
by the Government to those who bring orders from the 
Medical Directors and Naval-Hospital Surgeons. Army 
officers and civilians supplied upon reasonable terms ; 
the price, in no case, to exceed one hundred dollars. 
A reasonable discount will be made to the poor. 
MARVIN LINCOLN, 
Inventor and Patentee. 
Office of the Lincoln Artificial Arm, 
No. 19, Green Street, Boston, Mass. 
December, 1865. 
Report of Committee on Surgical Instruments 
(consisting of Doctors Samuel Cabot, E. G. Tucker, 
George Derby, and Samuel A. Green) of the 
Tenth Exhibition of the Mass. Charitable 
Mechanic Association, held in Boston, 
September and October, 1865. 
590, Marvin Lincoln, Boston, Case of Artificial 
Arms. - Your Committee have examined Lincoln's Ar- 
tificial Arm with the greatest care. Three patients, 
wearing this arm, were examined. The first, a very 
intelligent farmer, who had lost a right arm above the 
elbow, and worn a Lincoln Artificial Arm for two years, 
can now plough, drive, mow, and do all the ordinary 
work of a farm with it. He says he would not part with 
the arm on any account: says the arm is never out of 
order. A second patient was a soldier, now working in 
a blacksmith's shop ; lost a left arm below the elbow over 
a year ago; carries iron to furnaces, tends furnace doors, 
&c.; can lift as much as with his own hand before losing 
it; the stump is never sore or painful since he has worn 
the Lincoln Arm, as it often was when wearing the arm 
of another maker. Another patient, also a soldier, has 
lost left arm above the elbow ; is employed as a bell- 
ringer at the Charlestown Navy Yard ; has not done any 
hard labor with it, but values the arm very highly. 
The construction of this arm is simple, strong, and 
effective; not difficult to manage, and not liable to break 
or get out of order. TESTIMONY OF CIVILIANS. 
The originals of the following can be seen at any 
time by calling at the office, No. 19, Green Street, 
Boston. 
The writer of the letters from which the following extracts are 
taken lost both arms in the gold mines in Nova Scotia, and ob- 
tained a pair of Lincoln's Patent in the latter part of the summer 
of 1863. The originals of these letters can be seen at this office at 
any time. See Mr. Grant, and a fac-simile of his signature, on the 
first page of the cover. M. L. 
Tobique, Parish op Gordon, I 
New Brunswick, March 4,1864,J 
Mr. Lincoln. 
Dear Sir, - I take this opportunity of writing a few lines 
to you to show you how I can write with one of your artificial 
hands. It is not very good, but is far better than none. . . . 
June 27, 1864. 
Dear Sir, - I received your letter, and was glad you 
thought I was making good progress. I would have written 
before, but have been very busy. I have entered into a trad- 
ing business, and find I can do very well at it. . . . 
I am some handier with them than when I last wrote. Give 
my respects to your workmen and friends. 
May 10, 1865. 
.... I have used them (the arms) now for nearly two 
years, and can recommend them to any who may wish to in- 
quire. They are light, and easy to wear, and so natural that 
people look with admiration. 
From your friend, 
ALFRED S. .GRANT. 10 
TESTIMONY OF CIVILIANS. 
Paxton, Feb. 19, 1865. 
Mr. Lincoln. 
Sir, - It is with pleasure that I seat myself to inform you 
of my good health, and prosperity with my new arm. 
Hall of New Braintree likes his, tip-top ; but he had not 
dared to do much with it, for fear of breaking or doing some 
damage to it: but I go to work with mine as though it would 
hurry me through thick and thin. It has done full as well as 
I expected it to. . . . Please excuse all mistakes. 
Yours truly, 
WILLIAM A. STUART. 
• 
Freight House, Boston & Maine Railroad, ) 
Boston, Jan. 2, 1865. J 
Mr. M. Lincoln. 
Dear Sir,- The artificial arm I obtained of you last 
April has more than met my most sanguine expectations. 
The comfort I experience in wearing it is ample compensa- 
tion ; indeed, it is indispensable to my comfort. I cannot 
afford to be without it. I am also surprised at its usefulness. 
I have found in my experience that there is but very little 
useful labor but what I can accomplish with its assistance. I 
spaded up, planted, and took all the care of a large garden, the 
last season, in addition to my daily labor in the freight-house; 
and my neighbors will testify that I had at least as fine a 
garden as any in the neighborhood. 
When I reflect upon my former condition, and compare it 
with my present, I find myself more nearly restored to what 
I was before I lost my arm * than I had ever thought was 
possible. Very truly yours, 
JOHN JASEPH. 
Dalton, N. IL, Feb. 6,1865. 
This may certify that I have worn one of Lincoln's patent 
artificial arms since January, 1864, and feel not only satis- 
fied, but highly pleased with it; and am becoming so much 
attached to it, that I have not slept without it for several 
months. In my business, which calls me about the country a 
good deal, I find it very useful in various ways, especially in 
* Amputation at junction of upper and middle third of humerus 
right arm.. • ' M. L. TESTIMONY OF CIVILIANS. 
11 
driving a horse, when it is invaluable. I am glad of this op- 
portunity to bear testimony to its value. 
IRA M. WALLACE. 
Note. -An accident happened to Mr. Wallace, a few weeks ago, 
which will show the practical value of the artificial arm. Mr. Wal- 
lace was thrown from his carriage, and dragged thirty or forty 
rods. The reins were held by the artificial hand ; and so powerful 
was the strain upon this hand, that, had the lines been held by the 
natural hand, Mr. Wallace states that it would have been impossi- 
ble to have retained his hold. M. L. 
Fair Haven, Ct., Aug. 31,1866. 
Mr. Lincoln. 
Dear Sir, - I have received my artificial arm, and am 
perfectly satisfied with it in every particular. It is very easy 
and comfortable, and improves my general appearance very 
much. I am very proud of it; so much so, that I would not 
be without it for four times its cost. 
Yours truly, 
HENRY HUNTLEY, Jr. 
Mayor's Office, Lynn, Mass., June 20,1865. 
Mr. Lincoln. 
Dear Sir, -After having worn the arm you made for me 
more than three months, I wish to say to you that.it more than 
meets my expectations. ... It is light, strong, very natural 
in its appearance, free from complexity, and consequently not 
liable to get out of order. . . . With it I can hold my fork, as 
my friends say, " gracefully," and, in fact, do almost any thing 
that those blessed with two hands can do. I cannot express to 
you too strongly my appreciation of it as a whole. It is not 
nature, but a wonderful imitation, a grand substitute. 
P. M. NEAL, Mayor. TESTIMONY OF SOLDIERS. 
Fort Edward, N. Y., July 19,1865. 
I believe, since you furnished me with an artificial right 
arm, I have had ample time to give it a fair trial; and I say, 
without any qualification, that it is entirely satisfactory. I 
find it both useful and becoming. It is light, and less cum- 
bersome than I supposed it would be. I take great pleasure 
in recommending it to others ; for, before applying to you, I 
examined arms made by several other parties, and found yours 
to be the most satisfactory. 
GEO. ADDISON WAIT, 
Co. K, 122d N. Y. Vols. 
This is a case of amputation at the shoulder-joint, and will be 
recognized by all as the most difficult to supply, and have at all 
useful or even comfortable. The case of Henry Huntley, jun., is 
another of the same kind. M. L. 
Amherst College, Dec. 1,1865. 
Mr. Lincoln. 
Dear Sir, - My artificial arm came promptly to hand, 
and I have now worn it three months. I like it well; much 
better than I expected. It is perfectly adjusted, for it has 
not chafed me in the least from the first. It has drawn my 
shoulder down into place, and it gives me balance. 
I have never regretted that I decided to take yours in pre- 
ference to any other styles shown me in the city; for it com- 
bines grace, utility, and simplicity of construction, in an 
eminent degree. 
Perhaps one cannot make as many fancy motions with 
this as with some other styles; yet I believe its practical 
utility and real service exceed all others I have seen. 
Yours respectfully, GEO. W. BARBEE, 
Co. E, 9th N.H. 
Monroe, Mich., June 17,1864. 
The arm you made me is a complete success. Everybody 
here is much pletlsed with it, and surprised at the many uses 
I can make of it. It wears easy, and I would not be without 
it. WESLEY J. KNAGGS, 
Late private Co. A, 4th Regt. Mich. Vol. Infantry. TESTIMONY OF SOLDIERS. 
13 
West Milton, Ohio, Oct. 24,1864. 
I have received my arm, and it is all right in every respect. 
,. . . I return my sincere thanks for your promptness in fur- 
nishing it. I am a great deal better satisfied than I expected 
to be. I would not do without it for any thing. 
ISAAC S. ERNFIELD, 
Late private Co. F, 2d Regt. Ohio Vol. Infantry. 
Kingston, Ross Co., Ohio, July 2, 1864. 
My arm came to hand some time ago, and I suppose you 
would like to know how I like it, and how it fits me. I am 
well pleased with it. I would have written sooner, but con- 
cluded to try it, and be satisfied whether it would suit me or 
not. DANIEL LONG, 
Late private Co. D, 71st Ind. Vol. Infantry. 
Lima, Allen Co., Ohio, June 23, 1865. 
I received my arm about a week ago. I thought I would 
not write till I had tried it. It fits me very well. I am very 
well pleased with it. The people here are much surprised at 
the way I can use it. LEONARD A. SNIDER, 
Late Private Co. K, 33d Regt. 0. V. I. 
Taylorsville, Ohio, Oct. 30, 1865: 
... I would have written sooner, but concluded to try it, 
and be satisfied whether it would suit me. I am well pleased 
with it. You could not have fitted me better if you had taken 
the measures yourself. I am well satisfied, and am a thou- 
sand times obliged to you for your promptness. 
JEROME ROMINE, 
Co. F, 122d Regt. Ohio Vols. 
Salem, III., Sept. 8, 1865. 
I received the arm in good time, and am well pleased with 
it. I can plough and mow with it, and it helps me about 
holding papers in the office. It is quite a curiosity to the live 
suckers around here. JOHN B. PATTERSON, 
Co. II, 111th Ill. Vol. 
Grand Rapids, Mich., Aug. 24, 1865. 
I received my artificial arm some three months ago, and it 
works to a charm. I am ploughing every day now with it, 
and I can also rake hay about as well as ever I could. 
MARTIN FOGERTY, 
Co. B, 14th Mich. Vet. Vols. 14 
TESTIMONY OF SOLDIERS. 
Equality, III., Sept. 12,1865. 
I received an arm of your patent not long since, and am 
satisfied it will be very useful. It is handsome and neat, and 
I am well pleased with it in every respect. You have my 
thanks. PLEASANT TAYLOR, 
Co. G, 31st Ill. Vet. Vols. 
TESTIMONY OF SURGEONS. 
No. 4, Staniford Street, Boston, March 21, 1865. 
Living within a hundred yards of Mr. Marvin Lincoln's 
manufactory, and much interested in such things, I have 
called in there frequently. I have thus seen a great many 
specimens of his handiwork and of his arm-y-work. I have 
examined thoroughly into the mechanical construction of his 
artificial arms. I have witnessed every process in the making 
of them. I have seen them fitted and adapted, and then I 
have seen the use of them by the wearer. I have given much 
attention to the construction of artificial arms and legs, and 
have even, as an amateur, made some myself. All this, I 
think, qualifies me as a judge; and as such I pronounce Mr. 
Lincoln's arms, as combining the qualities of symmetrical 
proportion, strength, easy application to the necessities of the 
moment (I mean the ready detachment of the hand, and 
flexion and extension of the elbow), lightness of weight, and 
durability of material and mechanism, far superior to any 
thing of the sort I have yet seen. I say this, too, having 
made it a point to examine every thing of the kind I have 
met with. I confidently recommend his invention and work- 
manship to every one needing a substitute for a hand or arm. 
WM. El). COALE, M.D. 
Massachusetts General Hospital, 
Boston, March 7, 1865. 
I believe the Lincoln arm to be the best in use. It com- 
bines lightness with strength, is simple in its structure, and 
is useful as well as ornamental. It is the arm recommended 
to the patients of this hospital. 
BENJAMIN S. SHAW, M.D., 
Resident Physician and Superintendent. Marvin Lincoln, of Boston, formerly of this city, 
whom many of our readers will recollect as a member 
of the firm of Palmer & Co., Artificial Leg Makers, 
has been awarded the Silver Medal for a case of 
Artificial Arms (the only medal awarded for Artificial 
Arms), at the late Mechanics' Fair at Boston. This 
arm has had a thorough and rigid examination by 
three several boards of U. S. Army Surgeons, and 
receives their unqualified recommendation. It is 
selected by the Surgeon-General U. S. Army to be 
supplied at the expense of the General Government to 
soldiers who have lost arms in the service. Upwards 
of one thousand have already been ordered by Medical 
Directors, from Maine to Oregon. Any soldier or 
sailor who has lost an arm, and is not supplied, should 
make a note of this. - Springfield (Mass.) Republi- 
can, Nov. 11, 1865. GOOD-BY, OLD ARM! 
A HOSPITAL INCIDENT. 
The knife was still; the surgeon bore 
The shattered arm away : 
Upon his bed, in painless sleep, 
The noble hero lay. 
He woke, and saw the vacant place 
Where limb of his had lain; 
Then faintly spoke, " Oh, let me see 
My strong right arm again ! " 
" Good-by, old arm ! " the soldier said, 
And clasped the fingers cold ; 
And down his pale but manly cheeks 
The tear-drops gently rolled : 
" My strong right arm, no deed of yours 
Now gives me cause to sigh. 
It's hard to part such trusty friends : 
Good-by, old arm I good-by I " 
GEORGE COOPER. 
In the United-States Service Magazine.