Artificial leg, Europe, 1915-1925

Made:
1915-1925 in Europe
Peg-leg or 'Socket' leg with a wooden self adjustable socket Peg-leg or "Socket" leg with a wooden self adjustable socket Peg-leg or "Socket" leg with a wooden self adjustable socket

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Peg-leg or 'Socket' leg with a wooden self adjustable socket
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Musuem

Peg-leg or "Socket" leg with a wooden self adjustable socket
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Peg-leg or "Socket" leg with a wooden self adjustable socket
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Peg-leg or "Socket" leg with a wooden self adjustable socket for a left above knee amputee. Made c.1920. (Weight: 4.75 lbs 2.1 kg).

Known as a ‘peg-leg’ or ‘socket leg’, this prosthetic leg fits over the remaining part of the left leg above the knee. Made from wood and weighing over 2 kg, the lower part of the leg has been turned and painted. The upper part of the leg is adjustable using leather straps.

Peg-legs are among the oldest and simplest of artificial leg designs. As the peg-leg does not bend, the wearer would need support from crutches to move around.

Details

Category:
Orthopaedics
Object Number:
1999-422
Materials:
wood, leather, wool, metal and paint
Measurements:
overall: 170 mm x 1060 mm x 170 mm, 2.17kg
type:
artificial leg
credit:
Richmond Twickenham and Roehampton Healthcare NHS Trust