The French company Charrière, founded by Joseph-Frédéric-Benoêt Charrière in the early 19th century, stands as a testament to innovation in medical instrument manufacturing. Born in 1803 in Switzerland, Charrière moved to Paris as a teenager and eventually took over his mentor's cutlery workshop. He became renowned for producing high-quality surgical instruments, notably in lithotripsy and anesthesia. Charrière's technical skill, creativity, and eagerness to learn from surgeons directly influenced his designs. He is also credited with creating the 'Charrière scale,' a measurement standard for medical instruments (also known as 'French gauge'). After his death the company worked under the name Maison Collin till 1957 when it was taken over by Maison Gentile. Charrière's legacy in medical technology endures, symbolizing groundbreaking advancements in healthcare tools.

The French company Maison Collin was organized as a successor of the famous Maison Charrière, founded by Joseph-Frédéric-Benoêt Charrière in the early 19th century. Anatole Pierre Urbain Louis Colline (1831-1923) and Louis-Apollinaire Robert bought the Charrière firm on May 19, 1866. Robert left the company at 1876. Address of Maison Collin was 60 rue Mazarine, Paris. The company worked under the name Maison Collin till 1957 when it was taken over by Maison Gentile.