Bausch & Lomb c.1900 Antique Brass Microscope w/ XY Stage, Wooden Case

Vintage antique Bausch & Lomb Microscope, “jug handle” design, with 3-lens turret and 3 objectives, X-Y stage, substage condenser iris/lens illuminator, original wooden case (no key) and two very nicely machined brass objective optics canisters, marked 4mm and 16mm B. & L. O. Co.

Not immediately obvious that this fine old microscope was made by Bausch & Lomb, but an identical one (plain stage and no iris-style illuminator) that we found online clearly shows the B&L logo on the 1-inch diameter plate attached at the rear of the base — present too on this one but very difficult to see as the black paint obscures the delicate engraved text (perhaps the round nameplate has been repainted?) The rack and pinion geared XY-stage is clearly marked: “Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. Rochester, N.Y., Patented Aug 24 ’97” [1897]

SPECS: Base measures 4.2 inches wide by 5.75 inches deep, overall height 12.75 inches, weight 9 lbs 0 oz lbs. The jug-handle structure, X-Y stage and most other parts are brass. The base and platform is magnetic, so either steel or iron, the paint on the underside of the platform is very delicate and flakes off easily if handled. Rotating the two knurled X-Y stage thumbscrews smoothly moves the stage using a pair of brass rack and pinion mechanisms, though the forward/back slide is a bit tight. The turret rotates freely, the focusing knobs turn smoothly.

OPTICAL PARTS: The 10x eyepiece appears not to have any major haze/fungus, the two mirrors are in good shape and both are shown in the photos, the condenser/illuminator glass and iris are both reasonably good considering its age, though the glass condenser lens does have significant haze. There are three objectives, marked thus:

• Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., 2/3, 0.24 N.A. Tube Length 180.0 mm

• C. Zeiss, DD, 2671 (the threads on this one are slightly damaged, so it does not fully thread in, it is stable though, partially thread in)

• Queen Bacteriological, 1-12 Homog. Imm., 1.35 N.A., 3088

Also included is its original wooden case, which measures about 6.25w by 8d x 14.25 inches tall, case weighs 4lbs 11 oz lbs.

A fine gift for your graduating biochemist or MD doctor in residency.