Vintage Cooke Troughton & Simms M3000 Binocular Microscope c1950s-60s, Cased
Here we have an almost pristine example of the M3000 binocular research microscope by well-known British optical manufacturers Cooke Troughton & Simms (CTS) of York. This example with serial number M30209, probably dates to around the late 1950s or possibly early 1960s - it also has military broad-arrow markings on the top-plate.
The M3000 model is a variant of the CTS M2000 model with some additional features such as height adjustment of the specimen stage and main optical tube giving additional flexibility in use. The M2000 model range was first introduced by CTS in 1948, with the final examples produced during the mid-1960s when the CTS brand name was dropped by owners Vickers Instruments. I've included in the listing photos some extracts from a CTS brochure showing a couple of versions of the M3000 model for reference purposes. The condition of this example is excellent and one look at the gleaming chrome will confirm it's a top example.
It's recently been given a light sensitive clean and lubrication, a technical check-over and test and I can report that everything is working as it should and it's a delight to use. Turning to the main technical details of this quality vintage M3000 binocular microscope set-up, we have a binocular eyepiece unit with clear optics and good collimation that's adjustable for differential focus by gently twisting the right-hand eyepiece tube and eyepiece separation by gently pulling on the adjustment tabs. These CTS binocular units are fixed at +1.5x magnification and therefore effectively provide a 50% magnification boost to the eyepieces. It's got a pair of period CTS 6x magnification compensating eyepieces, which therefore scale up to 9x magnification and also a pair of quite rare 4x magnification CTS eyepieces which therefore scale up to 6x magnification. The coarse focus adjustment is by rack and pinion with a nice smooth action with the optical tube holding in position as it should and there's also separate height adjustment of the main optical tube via a dovetail slider that's locked with a small chromed thumb-screw. Fine focus control is also nice and smooth and on this model the fine focus mechanism does not carry the full weight of the binocular head and therefore moves with an almost friction-less feel. The instrument tilts for inclined viewing and can be tightened in position as required via a limb tension lever. There are four objective lenses in total with a usable selection of progressive magnification and a rotating 4-way turret which clicks into place positively as each objective is rotated into its viewing position. The objective lenses are as follows. American Optical - 40x American Optical - 100x Oil Immersion. (The effective overall magnification therefore ranges from a usable 30x to approx 900x when using oil immersion techniques with good illumination).The specimen stage is mechanical with vernier scales and twin thumb-wheel x-axis and y-axis controls located on the right hand side of the stage, plus there's a two part slide holder mechanism for holding samples in place during viewing sessions, which is both adjustable and also has a movable armature and is fine for holding slides steady during inclined viewing and when the axes are being moved around. The stage mechanisms run nice and smoothly and there's only minor signs of wear to the stage surface where one would expect to see some brassing. There's also a thumb-screw locking mechanism for the y-axis to assist with stabilisation when using inclination. The stage height can also be adjusted via a rack and pinion mechanism with single-sided thumb-wheel control of the stage height. Below-stage there's a CTS condenser in a height adjustable dovetail-fit mount and a smoothly operating iris for controlling light levels, plus there's a 32mm swing out filter carrier that's fitted with a blue daylight filter.
Sample illumination is provided via a sub-stage mirror assembly with height adjustment via a dovetail slider together with a thumb-screw locking mechanism. The plano-concave mirror is in a rotating/lockable gimbal mount that's got good silvering to both sides. The overall condition of this technically capable M3000 research-grade microscope is exceptionally good with no maintenance issues and it only has very minor signs of wear to the paint finish on the frame with one small area of re-touched paintwork and a bit of brassing to the stage surface - as such this is a really good collectable example.
There is also a substantial CTS fitted hardwood storage case with this microscope with three internal storage racks, metal carry-handle and working lock with key. In summary, this is a well-equipped vintage technical binocular microscope from British optical firm CTS together with a substantial storage case, which makes a rather attractive microscopy set-up suitable for both those new to microscopy and also more advanced users. It may therefore appeal to specialist collectors of technical equipment and of course those seeking a very good CTS binocular model for its technical capabilities and imposing retro look, which could also make it a spectacular display item. It's supplied with a good range of objective lenses and fitted with a 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 application. This microscope equipment will be partially dismantled and very well packaged for transport. It will be dispatched by insured courier upon receipt of cleared funds. Thanks for looking - please check out my other listings if you get the chance.