R & J Beck binocular microscope, twin tower, 3 Objective lenses, condenser 1873
R & J Beck binocular microscope. A good Victorian lacquered brass compound achromatic microscope signed and numbered on one of the tubes. R & J Beck 31 Cornhill London 6134.
The Wenham binocular tubes are fitted with eyepieces. There is a drawer prism at the base of the tube which can be pulled to the out position when using low focal length objectives such as the 1/8. Eyepiece width is rack and pinion width adjustable. The microscope has a rack and pinion coarse focus, and. A horizontal scaled fine focus knob to the rear of the stage.
The mechanical slide stage has adjustment back and forward and from left to right controlled by two knurled knobs to the right of the stage. The stage has a sliding. Specimen support which can be moved manually backwards and forwards. There is a detachable (bayonet fitting) sub stage condenser with lens and wheel of stops. This is fitted with a rack and pinion height adjuster.There is a fully adjustable concave and plane light reflecting mirror. The microscope is fitted with a twin objective tower which is detachable. There are three R&J Beck Objectives lenses 3, 2 and 1/8. The sub stage condenser / accessory fitting plate has two fine adjustment ports to allow a few millimetres of adjustment left / right and forwards / backwards. The knurled knob adjusters are missing.
Comes with a later sturdy wooden box with hook catches. James Smith, a scientific instrument maker, commenced making microscopes in 1839 and took Richard Beck into partnership in 1847 trading as Smith & Beck at 6 Coleman Street, London. In 1851 Joseph Beck, the brother of Richard Beck, started working for the firm and became a partner in 1857 when the business name became Smith, Beck & Beck. When Smith retired in 1865 the business address was 31 Cornhill, London and the trading name changed to R & J Beck.
Cms high (With binocular tubes half way up rack and with ocular eyepiece tubes not extended) x 23cms x 18cms (at base) Box: 46cms x 24cms x 21cms. 3.7kgs Cased weight: 5.7kgs (Heavy to securely P+P). Optics of the eyepieces and objective lenses are good and clear. The microscope is finished in lacquered brass which is good with some rubbing and typical age related wear.The plano-concave mirror is good on both sides but with an area of discolouration and some edge clouding which does not affect function. This is a superb and highly sought after microscope from one of the very best Victorian makers. Fully functioning and as usable today as it was in 1875. The item "R & J Beck binocular microscope, twin tower, 3 Objective lenses, condenser 1873" is in sale since Tuesday, September 3, 2019.
This item is in the category "Antiques\Science/Medicine\Scientific Instruments". The seller is "nigel315" and is located in St Boswells, Melrose, Borders. This item can be shipped worldwide.