Early Version - Antique W. Watson & Sons Ltd Service Microscope - c1921, Cased for Sale

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Early Version - Antique W. Watson & Sons Ltd Service Microscope - c1921, Cased For Sale

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Early Version - Antique W. Watson & Sons Ltd Service Microscope - c1921, Cased:
$184.71

Here we have a collectable Service microscope by W. Watson & Sons Limited of London. This example dates to around 1921 based on the sequential Watson production number of 26671 which is engraved onto the main tube. This example appears to be in original condition as far as I can tell and is the earliest example of the Service pattern I\'ve seen - the model was only introduced to the Watson catalogue at the end of WWI in 1919. It has been both well used and looked after by its former custodians, the first of which was Leeds University Medical school and is therefore a good opportunity to acquire a very early Service model with some interesting features, more of which later in the listing.The Service model was the mid-size model of Watson\'s range of microscope offerings and the back-bone of its microscope range, first appearing in the Watson catalogue around 1919, meaning that this example must be from a very early production batch and remaining in production right up until the mid 1960s - first as the Service (this example), then Service I Research and Service II Student\'s model (these both had a more streamlined shape) and then finally the Watson Barnet Service. So, this model essentially had quite a long production run of nearly 50 years - initially in brass like this example, them from from the late 1940s onwards in nickel/chrome finish. This long production run giving us a firm steer about how capable this model of microscope was in its heyday, so much so that this model often found its way into hospitals and educational establishments and this example is no exception to that general rule.This example also benefits from a set of original period lenses and it\'s also got brass-work such as thumb-wheels which are showing some signs of age-related tarnishing and the instrument has in general cleaned up fairly well, with just the right sings of age and use for an example from this period and usage profile. The Service is essentially an excellent piece of British quality optical engineering showing its quality in every component, based on the right materials, solid construction and great design. Feel the weight of it for one, despite being a mid-size vintage microscope it\'s still quite heavy with all that steel and brass. Turning to the technical details. For the optics, this Watson is fitted with a brass eyepiece draw-tube with graduation markings. The main tube is also in brass with coarse focus via rack and pinion with a nice smooth action, with the main tube holding in position as it should. Fine focus is an unusual arrangement which must have been phased out shortly after this example was manufactured. The fine focus slider is a T-shaped brass component rather than a conventional dovetail. The T-shaped component being part of the vernier screw/cam arrangement. Whilst this moves smoothly now that I\'ve lubricated the mechanism, there\'s some lateral play in the action. I\'ve tightened this up as far as I\'m able, but there is still some lateral movement of the fine focus slider. As a result, this example is more suited to being a display piece with maybe occasional light use. The instrument is supplied with an appropriate vintage 6x magnification eyepiece by Watson. It\'s also got three vintage objectives all by Watson and a double turret which rotates freely with a positive feel as the objectives slot into their viewing positions. The objectives are as follows:
- 2/3rds inch - Watson -10x - 1/6th inch - Watson - 40x
- 1/12th inch Versalic by Watson - oil immersionOverall, the range of magnification provided by this Watson therefore runs from about 60x to around 1,000x with good illumination and oil immersion is required in order to use the Versalic 1/12th inch objective.
The instrument tilts for inclined viewing, holding in position as it should. The stage is a standard Watson ebonite stage that\'s fitted with a couple of what look like original brass stage clips, which are fine for holding slides steady.Turning to the sub-stage, we have a Watson Abbe-type condenser in a brass mount with helical screw height adjustment. There\'s also an iris and a 35mm swing-out filter carrier. Lighting is via a plano-concave mirror on an adjustable brass support arm and gimbal with very good silvering to both sides.
This is an older pattern (original) Service model, so the profile of the upper limb is slightly different to that found on later Service models. The other main difference is the fine focus mechanism discussed earlier along with some other small differences that probably only a Watson collector will notice. Overall it\'s in decent visual condition and an interesting example of Watson\'s early Service model in highly original condition with an intriguing provenance being an ex-Medical School instrument. There is also a later Watson storage case with this example, with internal lens racking, carry-handle that is showing little in the way of age-related wear and a working lock with key currently missing.
Owing to the weight and delicacy of this vintage microscope, it will be partially dismantled, very well wrapped for shipping, fixed to the case with an original transit bolt and dispatched by insured courier upon receipt of cleared funds. Overseas buyers please use the Global Shipping option if available for your territory, or contact seller for options and costs. Please study the photos as they also form part of the description.Thanks for looking - please also check out my other listings if you get a chance.