Description

A rare mechanical prosthetic arm from Germany, marked “Martin”, early 1900’s.
The prosthetic arm has 2 optionals: the mechanical hook and the hand. The mechanical hook was a fundamental feature as it allowed the amputee (most often war veterans) to perform some basic works to earn a living. The metal hand (covered with a velvet tissue) replaced the hook in the day-by-day routine.
I love its “primitive” aspect and its great mechanical features, to allow effective movements and different positions giving flexibility in handling tools.
There are 2 latches: 1 to rotate and block the hand/hook and 1 to move and block in different positions the arm in the horizontal plan.
Then there’s the latch in the elbow to move and block in different positions the arm on the vertical plan