Description

Background to J Swift & Son from Microscope Museum:

James Swift were microscope makers trading from London and were founded in 1853 by James Powell Swift, who was the son of the watchmaker Thomas Swift. Before founding his company, James Swift was apprenticed to the well-known microscope maker Andrew Ross. In 1881 Swift brought in improvements to microscope design, including replacement of straight rack and pinion focusing with helical cut components along with a new fine focus mechanism.  In 1884, Mansell James Swift, son of James Powell, joined the company and the firm’s name was therefore changed to James Swift & Son.  Captain Scott was supplied with Swift microscopes for use on the RRS Discovery for his 1901-1904 Antarctic expedition, named in the catalogue of the time as the ‘Discovery’ model.  In 1903, Mansell Powell John Swift, grandson of the founder, joined the company.  In 1906, the founder of the company, James Powell Swift, died.  In 1912, the company was incorporated as a limited company and the firm’s name changed to J. Swift Ltd.  In 1942, both Mansell Powell and Mansell James died. In 1946, ER Watts and Son Ltd took over the company, mainly due to the association between the Watts and Swift families in earlier years.  In 1949, they employed John H. Basset who, in 1968, took over the company.

This example of a late Edwardian Swift instrument is in pretty good cosmetic condition for its age, with only light patination and no doubt quite a back story in light of its previous medical-related custodians.  It’s a survivor from the last 115 years or so – the lacquered brass-work catches the light really well as I hope the listing photos illustrate and it’s also complete with original case. The instrument’s look and feel is pretty solid in that’s it’s fashioned from solid brass, giving it a heavy feel and quite a presence when in use and also when stored in its fitted wooden case.

Technical details – the construction is an anodised brass tripod foot similar to a design used by Crouch.  From the tripod twin uprights support a pivot and a continental pillar-style upper limb.  Coarse focus is by a rack and pinion system with optical tube in brass with additional draw-tube also in brass.  The coarse focus works well holding in position as it should with diagonal cut rack.  Fine focus is controlled by a brass thumb-wheel atop the continental pillar, which also works well with good smooth fine adjustment. 

In terms of its optics, this microscope is supplied with eyepieces as under:

– No. 1 – 5x magnification by Swift
– 10x magnification – unbranded
– No. 3 – 15x magnification by Swift
 
The eyepieces work well giving nice bright images.

It’s also got a selection of objective lenses with RMS thread, which fit into the triple turret, as under:

– 2/3rds inch – 10x magnification by Swift
– 1/6th inch – 40x magnification by Swift
– 2mm – 100x magnification by R&J Beck – required oil immersion 

The objectives also have brass covers for when they are stored away in the case.

The magnification available with its current set of optics is therefore 50x to a theoretical 1,500x when using the highest power combination, along with an oil immersion technique and very good illumination.  I’ve tested the optics with various antique slides and the images produced are perfectly acceptable when using suitable illumination.  

The instrument tilts for inclined viewing and holds in position through its working range as it should.  The specimen stage is square and solid brass, with twin brass stage clips which work well.  

Sub-stage there’s ring mount to which is fitted an Abbe-type condenser with iris.  The ring mount also has centering via twin brass thumb-screws as well as a rack & pinion system for height adjustment with single-sided brass thumb-wheel for control.  The condenser has adequate reach for oiling to the back of slides as may be required for higher power work.  Lighting is via a double-sided plano-concave mirror in a brass carrier and gimbal mount fitted to a brass rod.  The mirror has a useful range of height, swing and rotation adjustment, with good period silvering to both sides. 

There’s a good quality, original fitted case probably in mahogany that’s showing some age.  It’s still in decent condition with appropriate external finish, leather carry-handle, a lock but the key is missing, so it’s got a couple of cupboard latches to keep the door closed, which work well.

The instrument has been very lightly lubricated with non-hardening grease where necessary, so that the controls operate smoothly.  This example of a late Victorian Swift microscope is very usable and essentially makes a superb technical display piece, especially in view of the fitted case.  It could be displayed in a library or home office type of setting, especially when set up with an appropriate antique slide such as the Victorian paper-covered slides as shown in the listing photos which are also supplied with the instrument. 

Owing to the weight and delicacy of this antique microscope and its case, it will be partially dismantled, carefully wrapped for shipping and dispatched by insured courier upon receipt of cleared funds.  

Thanks for looking.