Vintage Cooke Troughton & Simms M2000 Binocular Microscope, circa 1950s, Cased

Here we have a quality example of an M2000 binocular microscope by well-known British optical manufacturers Cooke Troughton & Simms (CTS) of York. This fairly early example will date to around the early/mid 1950s and it bears serial number M201103. It's in very good original condition making a rather good microscopy set-up, so probably one for the collector or serious amateur.

The M2000 model was first introduced by CTS in the late 1940s, with the final examples produced during the mid-1960s when the CTS brand name was dropped by owners Vickers Instruments. The condition is generally good for a working instrument and it's got virtually no signs of wear and it has recently been through a check-over and lubrication.

Turning to the main technical details of this quality vintage binocular microscope set-up, we have a binocular eyepiece unit that's adjustable for both focus by gently twisting the left-hand eyepiece tube and eyepiece separation by gently pulling on the adjustment tabs. These binocular units are fixed at +1.5x magnification therefore effectively giving the eyepieces a 50% magnification boost. The binocular head is in good cosmetic and optical condition for its age and works pretty well. There's an original pair of CTS 10x magnification eyepieces, with the magnification provided by the eyepieces taking account of the increase afforded by the binocular head, therefore 15x.

The coarse focus system moves the main microscope optical tube in a vertical plane, with its controls at the top of the frame. There is a lovely smooth action through the twin-sided thumb-wheels - travel and focus are both good. Fine focus adjustment essentially works by moving the nose-piece only, therefore the fine focus mechanism doesn't carry the full weight of the main focus tube and binocular head and therefore has an almost frictionless action - a neat CTS patented design feature that works well. There's a useful mixture of progressive magnification objective lenses with a rotating 4-way CTS turret which clicks into place positively as each objective is rotated into its viewing position. The objective lenses are as follows. 3.7x magnification - Lomo - 10x magnification - Vickers. 80x magnification - oil immersion - CTS. The effective overall magnification available therefore ranges from 56x to a respectable 1,200x with oil immersion and good illumination. The M2000 tilts for inclined viewing and holds in position well, it can be tightened further as required via the locking mechanism. The specimen stage is fully mechanical being a CTS rectangular design with twin thumb-wheel x-axis and y-axis controls mounted on the right-hand side of the stage. The y-axis also has a locking mechanism to prevent the stage position slipping on inclination. There's a two-part slide holder mechanism for holding samples in place during viewing sessions, which can be adjusted for position because the holders are contained within dovetail sliders and one of the slide holders is fitted with a small sprung armature.

The stage mechanisms all run nice and smoothly being perfect for holding and manoeuvering slides of various sizes. Below-stage there's a CTS condenser in a dovetail-fit type of mount with centering, a working iris and a swing-out filter holder for adding coloured, opaque or dark-field filters.

The condenser assembly can be adjusted for height via a rack and pinion system with single-sided thumb-wheel control. Sample illumination is provided via a standard CTS plano-concave mirror on an swiveling gimbal mount, with period silvering that's in good condition showing just a little age-related foxing mainly to the concave side. The overall condition of this M2000 series technical microscope is very good and it's got the benefit of little evidence of wear to the paint finish on the frame, with only the odd minor chip where one would normally expect to see some signs of use for a vintage piece of technical equipment.

It's also supplied with a sturdy hardwood storage case that's got an internal storage rack for lenses, a sundries case, metal carry-handle and door that's fitted with a working lock and key. In summary, this is a well-equipped vintage technical binocular microscope from quality British optical firm CTS that makes an excellent microscopy set-up. It may therefore appeal to both specialist collectors of technical equipment and of course those seeking a comprehensively equipped good quality CTS M2000 model to add to their collection.

It's also got an imposing retro look, which makes it a great display piece. It's supplied with a nice original wooden case which is in pretty good condition with lovely exterior sheen and it's fitted with a precision mechanical stage which is a must for high-magnification use. It's essentially usable out of the box with a bit of time spent getting to know it and setting up its various features and controls for optimum viewing results depending on chosen application. This microscope equipment is very heavy especially in view of the hardwood case and overall weighs in at over 12kg with packaging.

This item is in the category "Antiques\Science/Medicine\Scientific Instruments". The seller is "arcboutant" and is located in this country: GB.

Brand: Cooke Troughton & Simms
Antique: Yes
Type: Microscope
Microscope Type: Compound Microscope
Period: 1951 to Present
Material: Steel
Viewer: Binocular