Spring Lancet - Rare Norwegian Mechanical Lancet.

This is a highly decorated 18th Century Spring Lancet. Spring loaded single blade lancet, used during the 18th Century. The small size steel blade was cocked and a side "trigger" fired the spring-driven blade into the vein. This unique brass lancet has an engraved etching designs on both sides and an inscription on one side: OAS A'o (anno) 1798 . It comes in a hand forged walnut burr wood box in the shape of a treasure chest. The inside is printed with the factory insignia in blue. On the lid side it says 'No. Y0.. Fabrik Christiania’ (pre 1900 name for Oslo), on the other side it says ‘__obaks Fabrik’. The company to which this box belonged was in all probability Tobaks Fabrik of Oslo Norway. This company produced tobacco goods. The company was founded on 21st May 1778 by J. & L. Jacobsen and was called Tobaks-Fabrique. In 1833 it was taken over by Johann Ludwig Tiedemann and from then on it was known as JL Tiedemanns Tobaksfabrik. The transformation from a tobacco snuff box to the box for this lancet took place a long time ago as can be seen by the patina that covers the recesses which were cut into the wood. Overall length is 5 cm (2 inches).