Antique Scientific Instruments

Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s

Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s
Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s
Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s
Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s
Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s
Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s
Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s
Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s
Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s
Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s
Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s
Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s

Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s

Here is a fine example of a large imposing retro W. Binocular transmitted light microscope in gun-metal grey finish with brass details, which will date from the 1960s. The condition is really quite extraordinary, everything works as it should and almost looks as if it's hardly ever been used - in fact the instrument has been in a private collection since at least 1973 and in storage for most of that time, which no doubt explains the time-warp condition of the instrument.

It's just been through a check-over and light lubrication, not that it really needed anything much doing. This is therefore quite a find - there will not be many of these imposing retro technical instruments in this sort of pristine condition with just the odd light scratch and minor paint blemish from extended storage. Turning to the main technical details of this quality vintage binocular microscope set-up, we have. A rotatable binocular eyepiece unit fitted with a set of period Prior 6x magnification eyepieces. The inter-ocular separation can be adjusted by applying light pressure on the eyepiece tubes and the left-hand tube can also be adjusted for focus. A coarse focus system that moves the main optical tube in a vertical plane, with a nice smooth action through the twin-sided brass thumb-wheels - travel and focus are both good. Note that the microscope upper frame on this model is designed to tilt for inclined viewing and it holds in position perfectly. Fine focus adjustment essentially works via an internal cam system when smaller inputs are made via the twin brass fine focus thumb-wheels, which have been lubricated and also have a nice smooth action.

There are a total of four original objective lenses all by Prior 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 objectives are as follows: - One and a half inch - 4x magnification NA 0.12 - 2/3rds inch - 10x magnification NA 0.18 - 1/6th inch - 42x magnification NA 0.7 - 1/12th inch - 95x magnification NA 1.25 oil immersion - not tested with oil (The effective overall magnification therefore ranges from 24x to around 570x when using oil immersion techniques). The specimen stage is a standard Prior ebonite item that's fitted with a matching Prior mechanical over-stage also in gun-metal grey with right-sided x/y thumb-wheel adjustments for specimen positioning. The over-stage locates onto the stage with a single thumb-screw fixing system and can be removed for cleaning in seconds. There's a specimen holder with sprung arm, which works very well, holding slides firmly when the x/y controls are being moved around.

Below stage there's a Prior condenser on a height-adjustable mount with a helical screw system also giving a swing-out capability for swapping or maintaining the condenser unit. The condenser is also fitted with a swing-out filter holder and smooth working iris for controlling lighting levels.

Sample illumination is provided via a plano-concave mirror with a rotating gimbal, with good silvering to both sides. The overall condition of this imposing Prior binocular microscope is excellent with no maintenance or wear issues at all and it's also quite weighty with all that steel and brass and also quite a size standing some 15 inches (38cm) tall.

In summary, this is a very well-equipped vintage binocular microscope, from well-known British optical firm W. Prior & Co, in a rather nice gun-metal colour scheme.

It's supplied together with a good set of original Prior lenses which overall makes a quality microscopy set-up. It's such a good survivor in this condition that it could easily grace a vintage equipment display cabinet in a museum somewhere. It may therefore appeal to both specialist collectors of technical equipment and of course those seeking a nice Prior example for its technical capabilities and imposing retro look to add to their collection.

It's also essentially usable straight out of the box, with a bit of time invested in understanding how best to use its features and controls to optimum effect. This microscope equipment will be partially dismantled, very well packaged for transport and dispatched by insured courier upon receipt of cleared funds. Thanks for looking - please check out my other listings if you get a chance.

The item "Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s" is in sale since Tuesday, March 23, 2021. 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, Antigua and barbuda, 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, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand, China, Israel, Hong Kong, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Barbados, Brunei darussalam, Cayman islands, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Grenada, French guiana, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Saint kitts and nevis, Saint lucia, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Macao, Monaco, Maldives, Montserrat, Martinique, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Paraguay, Reunion, Turks and caicos islands, Aruba, Saudi arabia, South africa, United arab emirates, Ukraine, Chile, Bahamas, Colombia, Costa rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Kuwait, Panama, Philippines, Qatar, Trinidad and tobago, Uruguay, Viet nam.

  • Period: 1951 to Present
  • Antique: Yes
  • Material: Brass
  • Type: Microscope


Vintage Prior Binocular Microscope in Brass with Mechanical Over-stage, c1960s