A pair of mid to late 18th C forceps made from unplated steel and with a pelvic curve, marked "BORDEAUX AINÉ A MONTPELLIER". These were of the Levret type as modified by Dubois. A French screw locking mechanism secures the two blades. The handles have attractive and characteristic crosshatching. The ends of the handles were also be used as blunt hooks and unscrew to reveal points which could have been used as destructive instruments to collapse the foetal skull in the event of arrested labour.