Description

Antique Ernst Leitz Wetzlar – Monocular Brass Microscope – circa 1911, Cased

Well-kept and very good working condition example of a mid-size Leitz monocular model in brass, supplied with a good quality matching-numbers hardwood storage case.  This example appears to be a model GF as shown in the 1913 Leitz catalogue – see final image in listing photo stream.

Here we have a good example of an antique monocular brass microscope by Ernst Leitz of Wetzlar in Germany, bearing production reference number 1455354, which according to my Leitz dating table means that this example was manufactured in 1911.  The condition is generally very good, with only a few age and use appropriate signs of wear to the finish on the instrument and just the right time worn look to its paint finish and brass-work.  This example has a nice set of eyepieces and objective lenses all by Leitz which look to be original to the instrument.  This example may well therefore be quite a sought-after classic model in view of the quality manufacturer, good optics, completeness and originality of the instrument.  Being a mid-sized instrument it’s also a good proposition for display, say on a desk-top when set up with a suitable antique slide – and it’s also perfectly usable producing some nice sharp images.

Turning to the main technical details of this quality monocular microscope, we have the following:

1)  A y-shaped foot in black finish with single upright to pivot point with tension adjustment available as required.  The instrument tilts for inclined viewing, holding in position as it should.  The upper limb is Lister-style also in black gloss finish.  There’s a monocular eyepiece unit with graduated chromed draw-tube, with two useful eyepieces all by Leitz giving magnification options as under:

– 10x magnification No. 4
– 6x magnification No. 2 

2)  The instrument’s main focus is controlled via a pair of brass thumb-wheels located at the top of the limb which move the optical tube – travel and focus are both very good with the optical tube holding in position as it should.  Fine focus is via a second set of thumb-wheels on the upper limb that also have a smooth action. 

3)  There are three good quality objective lenses on the triple turret, as follows:

– 10x – Leitz No. 3
– 45x  – Leitz No. 6
– 100x – 1/12th inch by Leitz – oil immersion required
(all objectives have their correct brass storage canisters)

The objective lenses and eyepieces supplied therefore provide an effective magnification range from around 60x up to a theoretical 1,000x magnification when using the highest power lens/eyepiece combination along with an immersion technique and very good lighting.

4)  The stage is of a square design in brass.  It’s currently fitted with a pair of modern slide clips for holding slides steady which work quite well.

5)  Below stage there’s an Abbe-type condenser by Leitz in a friction-fit plug-in mount with smoothly operating iris and a standard 30mm swing-out filter carrier.  The condenser assembly is on a helical screw mount giving height adjustment and swing-out facility as shown in the listing photos.

6)  Lighting is provided by plano-concave mirror on a gimbal mount with height and swing adjustment and near-perfect silvering to both sides.

7)  There is a matching numbers hardwood case with internal racking, sundries container, carry-handle along with working lock & key.  The case is in pretty good condition for its age, with some minor loss of finish to the exterior surfaces.  On the inside of the case door it retains the original magnification card.

8)  Accessory:
– fixed stop insert with three aperture sizes that can be used instead of the condenser.

In summary, this is a nice clean example of a vintage Leitz monocular microscope in very good condition for its age.  This example may therefore appeal to collectors as well as specialists seeking a quality brass instrument from well-known makers Leitz.

Despite its mid-size dimensions this is also quite a heavy microscope especially with the wooden storage case, so owing to its weight it will be partially dismantled, very well packed and dispatched by insured courier upon receipt of cleared funds. 

Please also study the photos as they form part of the description.

Thanks for looking.