Fascinating Set of Medical Tuning Forks. Complete. England, 1950s

Fascinating Set of Medical Tuning Forks. Complete. England, 1950s

This fantastic item is a complete set of metal tuning forks, manufactured in England in the 1950s and housed in its original beechwood case. The set, designed for medical use, retains all its pieces in good condition and can still be used to listen to sounds at different wavelengths. It consists of thirteen tuning forks of various sizes, made of metal and engraved with their respective numbers. The wooden case in which the instruments are stored is also in good condition and retains its original gilt brass clasp.

The tuning forks are engraved with the inscription SHEFFIELD RAGG - ENGLAND. These words indicate that the set was manufactured by Ragg, a tuning fork manufacturer based in the United Kingdom. The company was founded in Sheffield, England, in 1841. By 1927, it had become the sole manufacturer of this type of instrument. Its John Walker brand is considered by professionals to be the best in the world. The company still exists, and its store is still located in Sheffield. In 2012, it was acquired by Uniplex (UK) Limited.

This intriguing item was used to test patients hearing in an ENT specialists office. The doctor would strike the tuning forks in order from largest to smallest, and the patient would indicate whether they could hear the sound. Depending on the range of their hearing, the specialist would determine the degree of hearing loss. Today, machines that generate sounds are used, so this set of tuning forks is a fantastic relic of times past that still retains all its original qualities.

This set of antique tuning forks would make the perfect gift for a medical specialist or for a lover of vintage items with character.

Dimensions (Case): Width: 12 cm. Height: 18 cm.