In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
The microscope is made of polished brass and stands on a y-shaped foot. The whole microscope tilts and has a rack and pinion coarse focus controlled with two large wheels on the back of the microscope. There is an additional fine focus wheel on the arm behind the tubes. The two eyepiece tubes are also extendable and there is a further rack and pinion system on the back of the tubes just below the eyepieces. On the side of the main tube is a wenham prism in a small sliding drawer. The microscope has a square brass stage with a mechanical slide holder, controlled by an x and y-axis rack and pinion adjustment. There are also two slide holder clips and below the stage is a large mirror for focusing the light. The microscope measures approximately 17" (43cm) tall, with further extension.
It comes with a complex "Marratt & Short" objective lens which is dated 1863. At some point it has had an adaptor fitted to it but would appear to be an original lens.
The microscope seems to be in good working order and I have set it up and tested it with a few old slides. I expect the lenses would probably benefit from a clean but it produces a clear and crisp image and was easy to focus with the coarse and the fine focus.
Overall the microscope is in very good condition. The brass has been polished to a high standard and it displays well. It has been used and has some minor signs of age and wear, some knocks and light surface marks but nothing detrimental.
It comes in a fitted mahogany case with sections for the lenses to fit in, a slide drawer and a metal carrying handle. The box has various marks, scuffs, some old splits and the hinges have been changed but is strong and sturdy and displays well with a nice aged patina. The box is approximately 19" (48cm) high by 9 1/2" (24cm) wide by 8" (20cm) deep.
The best description comes from the photos so please look at them all carefully and if you have any questions at all please ask. Tracked and Insured UK Delivery £20.
In A Nutshell Antiques and Interiors has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Selling good quality victorian, georgian and earlier furniture, accessories & decorative items. Ashburton, devon. LAPADA member
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Antique Binocular Microscope by Marratt & Short
