Despite the considerable number of documents pertaining to disability preserved in the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey Directorate of State Archives Ottoman Archives, the history of disability in the Ottoman Empire is still in its infancy. This paper focuses on the politics of prosthetics in the period corresponding to the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II, during which there was a remarkable increase in prosthetic cases, particularly related to work accidents. From the 1890s onwards, Sultan Abdulhamid provided free prosthetic support to ordinary citizens who became disabled due to illness, war, or accidents. This new “free prosthetic support” marks to the beginning of the history of modern prosthetics in Turkey. Following Abdulhamid II’s directives, students were sent abroad to learn prosthetic techniques to ensure the beneficial use of this technology for the people. Upon their return to the country, these students manufactured prosthetics for the public through state institutions. This paper explores the journey of ordinary citizens, male and female, to obtain prostheses following accidents. Their journeys can be meticulously traced through correspondence between institutions and the written petitions requesting a prosthesis. These documents provide answers to many questions, including the type, cost, material of the prosthesis, and why the petitioner needed a prosthesis. The paper argues that the extensive use of modern prosthetics within the boundaries of the Empire must be understood in the context of the Ottoman Empire’s health reforms under Sultan Abdulhamid. The Sultan’s personal interest in health policies, coupled with his paternalistic attitude, contributed to the establishment of numerous health institutions, the renovation of old hospitals, and the close monitoring of developments in the medical world. Known for rarely leaving his palace, Abdulhamid II tried to win the hearts of the people by offering gifts and charity that especially targeted the disadvantaged segments of society. In addition to his keen interest in the production of modern prostheses, he also attempted to solve “the beggar problem” in Istanbul and he established Darülaceze for the housing of homeless individuals, the “Hamidiye Etfal Hospital” for the treatment of orphaned and poor children, and other free hospitals accessible to various disadvantaged groups.