Description

Offered for sale is a really well-specified example of an antique R & J Beck monocular microscope standing on a continental-type horseshoe foot in lacquered brass finish.  According to my R & J Beck instrument dating table, manufacture was in 1910 with the instrument carrying serial number 28820. 

The condition of this example is generally very good, with just the right age and use signs of wear to the lacquer finish here and there where you’d expect and a look that belies its true age.  This example has also got a set of quality objective lenses and eyepieces by Beck.  This example may well therefore be quite a sought-after classic model in view of the quality and very solid build, good manufacturer, optics and completeness of the package.

Turning to the principal technical details of this quality continental-pattern monocular microscope, we have the following:

1)  Construction is a solid brass horseshoe foot in lacquered brass finish with single upright to the main pivot with tension adjustment and continental upper limb also in brass lacquer.  There’s a monocular eyepiece unit with chromed draw-tube that’s graduated for tube length, allowing it to be set quickly at the optimum 160, 170 etc  value depending on the optics being used.  There’s a very good comprehensive collection of eyepieces supplied as follows:

– No. 2 – 6x
– No. 3 – 8x
– No. 5 – 12x

2)  The instrument’s main focus is controlled via a set of thumb-wheels located at the top of the limb which move the main brass optical tube – travel and focus are both very good with the optical tube holding in position as it should.  Fine focus is the continental type atop the rear pillar, with a single graduated thumb-wheel with scale confirming that one division of the fine focus thumb-wheel = 1/200th mm of travel for the main optical tube.  The fine focus action has been cleaned and lubricated, so now also works as it should. 

The upper limb on this model of microscope is designed to tilt and there’s tension adjustment available at the pivot as may be required in position as required.  

3)  There’s a very good selection of quality objective lenses and a triple turret, with objectives as follows:

– 32 mm 5x magnification by R & J Beck
– 16 mm 10x magnification by R & J Beck
– 12 mm 20x magnification by R & J Beck
– 4 mm 40x magnification by R & J Beck
– 1/12th inch NA 1.25 by Hawkesley – 100x magnification and oil immersion is required
(the objectives all have period-correct brass canisters)

The objective lenses and eyepieces supplied therefore provide an effective magnification range from around 30x magnification right up to a 1,200x magnification when using the 100x objective with the highest power eyepiece along with an appropriate immersion technique and very good illumination. 

4)  The stage is in brass of a square design with ebonite top layer.  The stage is fitted with a bespoke R & J Beck mechanical over-stage with above-stage x/y controls giving a good range of sample movement and control.  The y-axis also has a locking mechanism to prevent slippage on inclination, which is a useful feature to have.  The over-stage attaches to the right-hand side of the stage via twin thumb-screws which are tightened from underneath.  The over-stage has vernier scales, two slide-holder arms, the right-hand side one being moveable for gripping the slide and is also able to accommodate slides of slightly different sizes.  Overall, the over-stage works very well and is a quality addition to the instrument.

5)  Immediately below stage there’s a lever operated iris to restrict the stage aperture, which again is a nice additional feature to have.  The condenser arrangement comprises a brass ring-mount with height adjustment by rack & pinion, with single-sided control and centering via twin brass thumb-screws.  The Abbe-type condenser itself friction-fits into the ring-mount from underneath and has a smoothly operating iris and swing-out filter carrier.  The whole condenser sub-stage can also swing out as shown in the listing photos.

6)  Lighting is provided by a plano-concave mirror with height adjustment, on a gimbal mount with good silvering to both sides.

7)  There’s the original hardwood case with this example which is a quality well-made piece in its own right in very good condition with lovely exterior sheen and brass carry-handle.  It’s got internal racking for objectives/eyepieces and its lock and key are present and working which is always nice to have. 

In summary, this is a highly collectable example of a larger-size Continental pattern antique R & J Beck microscope in very good condition and may therefore appeal to collectors as well as specialists seeking a really well made quality instrument with monocular set-up. 

This is also quite heavy microscope equipment especially with its sold brass construction and 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. 

Thanks for looking – please check out my other listings if you get a chance.