Description

Standing 13 inches tall on a Crouch-type foot, it is unserialized but dated by the Award inscription on the body tube reading: \”Telford Premium, Awarded to Archibald Sharp, W.H. Sc., B. Sc. Assoc. M. Inst. C.C. by the Institution of Civil Engineers Session, 1894-95.\”

Signed James Swift and Son, LONDON, the continental style limb is supported by trunnions on each side. A straight nickel-plated tail stock supports a plan-concave mirror which rides on a swinging sleeve.

Square 4 inch stage and a substage sleeve that rides on a geared, calibrated disk with a silvered scale. The sleeve holds the polariser/ achromatic condenser and is hinged to be thrown out of the optical axis. A calibrated brass knob has an arrow for the circular degree scale.

The stage is slotted for a roller/safety stage option and has holes for spring steel stage clips. A dovetailed slider fits into the stage at a 45 degree angle for fixed apertures and a convergent lens. Safety stage included.

Coarse focus is by rack and spiral pinion and fine focus by micrometer screw. The optical body tube has 2 Bertrand lenses and a fold out lens/magnifier for the silvered scale at the front of the stage (concave cup). This lens has been removed but preserved as it useless if the double nosepiece is not offset. 

A telescoping rod signed J. Swift & Son, Patent passes through the eyepiece, squared arm and stage. The gear at the top meshes with the gear that rotates the eyepiece housing and also the large disk under the stage. 

The analyzer sits over the eyepiece and can flip out of the optical axis. There is a slot in the tube to admit a wave plate (mica missing). Every part of the microscope is geared and calibrated (including the stage) to ensure accurate measurements ranging from 1 mm. to 0.001 mm.

There are 3 Swift objectives (2 inch, 1 inch and 1/4 inch) and a later R. & J. Beck 1/12 inch, all in canisters. Missing from the box is a simple 10X eyepiece (odd diameter but could be acquired). The box could also accommodate another substage analyzer/condenser (there is another in a brass canister), objective and wave plate.

The dovetailed mahogany case measures 13 x 8 x 6 inches with green felt liners, brass hooks and hinges, lock (and key?) and a substantial carrying handle. Included in the case is an optical wedge with micrometer scale for the slotted eyepiece, an additional eyepiece/substage insert and a bullseye bench condenser on round base to the back of the case. Original gold lacquer has 99% coverage and the anodized foot has minor scratches from use. The stage has one spot of verdigris.

These microscopes are an oddity and a rarity. Two have been sold by Flint\’s in the past 2 years in excess of 3000 GBP and were not as well equipped nor did they have any provenance. This is an opportunity to own one of the finest in any collection.

More photos soonest.