French, c.1915, Gaiffe = Gallot & Co. Succ, large leatherette case with gilt lettering to lid whihc reads 'ETABLISSEMENTS GAIFFE COMPAS DE Mr LE MEDICIN PRINCIPAL HIRTZ POUR ;A RECHERCHE DESPROJECTILES' constructed of chrome palets steel and brass, with original instructions and letter from an Italian doctor, dated1937, stated the gift of this set (“I’ve had used it during the war…”) to the Nun Emiliana, Director of the hospital “San Camillo” in Treviso

The Gaiffe / Compas de Mr Le Médecin Principal Hirtz was a surgical instrument used during WWI to locate bullets and other foreign objects embedded in the human body. It worked in conjunction with X-rays, allowing surgeons to determine the exact position and depth of projectiles. Designed to mimic the trajectory of a bullet, the Hirtz Compass featured adjustable legs that could rest on fixed anatomical points, ensuring the foreign object was precisely centered within its spherical framework. This innovative design provided accuracy, aiding military surgeons in complex battlefield extractions. The complete set included various accessories, enabling its use on different parts of the body, making it an indispensable tool in wartime medicine.