Vintage R & J Beck Model 22 Brass Monocular Microscope circa 1920, Cased

This listing is for a nice example of a period R & J Beck Model 22 monocular microscope in black enamel finish with very good lacquered brass details. This model will date from around 1920s or thereabouts.

The condition is very good, everything works as it should and and this example bears serial number 3962. Turning to the main technical details of this quality vintage monocular microscope, we have. A monocular graduated eyepiece draw-tube in brass supplied with two vintage brass eyepieces 7x and 9x magnification.

A coarse focus system that moves the main optical tube in a vertical plane via a rack and pinion system, with a nice smooth action through the twin-sided 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 a brass thumb-wheel at the rear of the upper limb which also has a nice smooth action. There are two objective lenses on a rotating double turret in brass by R & J Beck, which clicks into place positively as each objective is rotated into its viewing position. The objectives are as follows: - 5x magnification 32mm R & J Beck - 40x magnification 1/6th inch W. Watson & Sons The effective overall magnification therefore ranges from around 35x to a usable 360x.

The specimen stage is a Beck item in solid brass with a lovely surface patina that's currently missing its slide clips. Below stage there's a wheel of stops rotating disc for controlling lighting levels. Sample illumination is provided via a 2 inch plano-concave mirror in a brass mount with a rotating gimbal and with good silvering showing some minor age-related foxing at the margins.

The overall condition of this Beck microscope is pretty good with no observed maintenance or wear issues and it's also quite weighty with its brass construction, with just a few signs of use to the black enamel finish in keeping with the instrument's age and usage over the years. There's also a fully-fitted hardwood storage case with this example in a light wood finish (probably oak), with lock but no key and two lens racks plus a sundries drawer that's currently filled with blank slides and cover-slips. The case also has a brass cupboard latch fitted to keep the door closed. In summary, this is a pretty sturdy entry-level vintage microscope, from well-known British optical firm R & J Beck in a nice black enamel and brass colour scheme in great period condition. It's supplied together with a good set of lenses which overall makes a decent microscopy set-up.

It may therefore appeal to both specialist collectors of technical equipment and of course those seeking a nice Beck example for its technical capabilities and imposing period look to add to their collection for use, display or both. It's also essentially usable straight out of the box, with a bit of time invested in understanding how best to use its period features and controls to optimum effect. This microscope 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 R & J Beck Model 22 Brass Monocular Microscope circa 1920, Cased" is in sale since Thursday, August 26, 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, 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, Dominican republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Kuwait, Panama, Philippines, Qatar, El salvador, Trinidad and tobago, Uruguay, Viet nam, Russian federation.

Period: 1901 to 1950
Material: Brass
Type: Microscope
Antique: Yes
Sub-Type: Microscopes