Antique W. Watson & Sons Ltd Brass Fram II Monocular Microscope c1908, Cased

Here is an antique Fram model microscope in brass by W. Watson & Sons Limited of London. It dates from around 1908 based on the sequential Watson production number of 10321, which is engraved onto the brass upper frame, just above the tripod legs. It's a Fram type-11 example - these were produced between 1902 and 1912 and it's distinguished from type-I and type-III Fram models by its tripod legs which are formed from a single continuous alloy casting.

On top of the tripod casting there's a heart-shaped brass plate, which forms the base for the upper part of the microscope and which bears the engraved model name and serial number. There is also the advantage of the original and correct period Watson storage case with this example, which is also in excellent condition. Interestingly for anyone living in or from the West of Scotland, this particular instrument was originally retailed back in 1908 by Watson agents W. Ltd, opticians of 180 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. The case and also the instrument itself are marked up with the retailer's details - an engraving on the eyepiece holder and also a plaque inside the storage case confirming the provenance. This Watson Fram model was one of a range of models in Watson's microscope line-up in this period with the same type of configuration of tripod legs with separate bolted-on upper limb - these being: - Fram (this example) - Edinburgh Stand "H" - slightly larger model - Royal - similar size to Edinburgh "H" - Van Heurck models - much larger Therefore while the Fram is slightly smaller than its siblings from this period, it's still quite an impressive and imposing instrument especially when embellished with options from the extensive Watson catalogue, as many examples of the Fram model are. The Fram does seem to be somewhat rarer to market than the Edinburgh "H" for example and may therefore have been produced in fewer numbers, making this example an exciting period find. An excellent piece of British Edwardian optical engineering showing its quality from every component, based on good materials, solid construction, great design and skilled workmanship with plenty of hand-finishing carried out in this period.

This is a sturdy quality antique microscope in good original condition, fully working, with recent light refurbishment to the paint on the tripod legs. It's got a great look and patina with just the right signs of age. For a brass example from the Edwardian period. It really is quite a spectacular visual delight for the eyes when it catches the autumn sun. Turning to the technical details, the Fram's coarse focus is via rack and pinion which has a good smooth action, with fine focus achieved via a separate thumb-wheel located at the rear of the upper frame which operates an internal lever system and also works nice and smoothly.

2 inches brass low-power Argus objective by Watson - 4x approx with metal canister - 2/3rd inch brass objective by Prior -10x with metal canister - 1/6th inch in brass by. Watson - 40x with period Watson brass canister - 1/12th inch oil immersion objective by Hawkesley - 100x in modern Watson canister (not shown in listing photos). Overall, the range of magnification available with this Watson Fram therefore ranges from about 24x to a perfectly respectable 600x when using oil immersion techniques. The microscope's mechanical over-stage is an original quality Spencer item in brass with two adjustable armatures, one of which is sprung. The over-stage attaches to the main horseshoe-shaped stage, which looks to be made of ebonite/metal. This system is excellent for retaining slides during inclined viewing, with freely running above-stage x/y controls also offering fine control of specimen positioning, which is a real advantage for higher magnification work. The mechanical over-stage can be removed easily for cleaning and maintenance as required, via two small thumb-screws. Turning to the sub-stage, we have a Watson Abbe-style condenser on a height adjustable rack and pinion mount which swings out to allow changing condenser type, carrying out maintenance or just for microscopy techniques that don't require using a condenser. The condenser assembly also has a working iris to control lighting levels. There's a swing-out holder fitted, allowing coloured, opaque or dark-field filters to be inserted. Lighting is via a plano-concave mirror which is in pretty good condition on its adjustable brass support arm and gimbal set-up with period silvering showing a little foxing to both sides and still perfectly functional. All controls operate reasonably smoothly including coarse focus, fine-focus, eyepiece draw-tube, condenser and plano-concave mirror. The instrument has been stripped, lubricated and rebuilt so all controls operate smoothly with the existing Watson hardware, thereby preserving its originality and collector appeal. This Edwardian example is in generally very condition and has been well looked after by its former custodians. This Fram also benefits from a set of mainly original period lenses, a brass triple turret, a brass mechanical over-stage by American manufacturers Spencer Optical Company and its correct period storage case. This example has got really good lacquered brass details including its main tube and thumb-wheels, which are showing few signs of age-related tarnishing.

They catch the sunlight perfectly and glint with a lovely warm golden hue, something that I hope the listing photos capture. This is a great visual and working example of Watson's classic and quite rare Fram type-II model in highly original condition with a comprehensive specification, good optics and it's essentially in collectable condition and it also displays amazingly well. Here is also a period-correct storage case with this example, which is also in excellent condition for its age with an original working lock with key. Ured courier upon receipt of cleared funds. Thanks for looking - please also check out my other listings if you get a chance.

Watson & Sons Ltd Brass Fram II Monocular Microscope c1908, Cased" is in sale since Sunday, November 8, 2020. This item is in the category "Antiques\Science/Medicine\Scientific Instruments". The seller is "arcboutant" and is located in Glasgow. This item can be shipped to United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Australia, United States, Bahrain, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, China, Israel, Hong Kong, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Bolivia, Barbados, Brunei darussalam, Ecuador, Egypt, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, French guiana, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Macao, Monaco, Maldives, Martinique, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Paraguay, Reunion, Saudi arabia, South africa, United arab emirates, Ukraine, Chile, Bahamas, Colombia, Costa rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Kuwait, Panama, Qatar, Trinidad and tobago, Uruguay, Viet nam.

Period: 1901 to 1950
Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
Sub-Type: Microscopes
Material: Brass
Type: Microscope
Antique: Yes
Modified Item: No