Generally good condition Exhibition-standard example of Watson's classic Edinburgh H Student's model microscope in gleaming lacquered brass finish - dates to about 1929, so almost an antique.

This listing is for an inter-war example of Watson's Edinburgh model H microscope in lacquered brass finish - it's a rare Exhibition model, so ponents are in brass finish which gives it a very different look to standard models in black enamel with brass details. It dates to around 1929 based on its serial number 44116 which is engraved on the tripod just above the rear foot. The condition is generally pretty good and it's been given a gentle clean and light lubrication, so please read on if you're interested in this rather shiny technical instrument. The Exhibition model is ideal for display/occasional use if you need a statement brass instrument for display in a study or similar setting.

The Edinburgh model range of microscopes was produced by Watson in a number of styles between 1887 and around 1945. With this example being from the 1920s, what you essentially see here is a later model with a number of the Edinburgh series developments, upgrades and modifications baked-in. The Edinburgh-type stand was originally developed by Watson in collaboration with a professor and lecturer in bacteriology at the University of Edinburgh, hence the Edinburgh designation. With its signature rear cross-member and shiny lacquered brass-work, this Watson Edinburgh model is a nice example of British optical engineering with design and style elements harking back to the Victorian/Edwardian eras. Watson offered an all-brass Exhibition model at a premium price and therefore these models are rarer than standard models.

Turning to the technical details, the coarse focus is via rack and pinion which is nice and smooth, with the main brass tube holding in position as it should. Fine focus is achieved via a single vertically-mounted brass thumb-wheel at the rear of the upper limb which operates an internal lever system against sprung resistance, also with a smooth action. The instrument tilts for inclined viewing and holds in position; it can also be tightened further if required.

With the optics, this Watson es fitted with a period graduated brass eyepiece draw-tube inside a wide brass main optical tube. There's a vintage 8x magnification eyepiece that with adequate illumination produces good bright images.

The instrument has got two good quality clean period objectives, which offer a useful range of magnification and are located on a double turret, which rotates freely with just the right amount of resistance to touch:

- Watson 2/3rds inch in brass - 10x magnification
- C. Baker 1/2 inch in brass - approx. 20x magnification

Overall therefore, the range of magnification available with this Watson ranges from 80x to 160x and further higher-power lenses can always be added.

The mechanical stage is a Watson item in brass with and ebonite top surface layer. It has twin thumb-wheel adjusters on the right hand side of the stage, currently fitted with two specimen clips on a sliding mechanism for holding slides steady during inclined viewing and when the axes are being moved around. The x and y-axis controls work nice and smoothly offering good control of specimen positioning. The axes also have silvered vernier scales. The specimen slider also has a neat feature to assist with taking slides off the stage - it's a small thumb-screw mechanism which when turned anti-clockwise pushes the slide upwards to assist with removal - a nice Watson innovation.

Turning to the sub-stage, we have an Abbe-type condenser with centering prising twin brass thumb-screws, which sits in a height adjustable rack and pinion mount with single-sided brass thumb-wheel to adjust the height along with a swing-out feature allowing easy swapping or maintenance of the condenser hardware. The condenser assembly also has a working iris to control lighting levels and there's a 35mm swing-out carrier fitted for adding coloured, opaque of dark-field filters. Lighting is via a plano-concave mirror on an adjustable brass support arm and gimbal, with silvering that's in good condition to both sides.

The instrument's controls have been lightly lubricated and operate with age-appropriate signs of wear including coarse focus, fine-focus, eyepiece draw-tube, specimen slider, mechanical stage, condenser rack and plano-concave mirror. This instrument presents well with its gleaming brass-work which is showing some signs of tarnishing, spotting and some degree of lacquer loss by historic polishing here and there. This example is essentially a collectible Watson Edinburgh-H Student's model in good condition for its period and it'll make a great occasional use display item. It's offered at an attractive price point for an inter-war example of this model in this sort of decent cosmetic condition. It also presents well while being used as a desk-top instrument and will display rather nicely in a library or home office setting.

There's currently no storage case with this example.

This item can be shipped - just contact seller if interested in this option. Owing to the weight and delicacy of this Watson Edinburgh microscope, it will be partially dismantled, very well wrapped for shipping and dispatched by insured courier upon receipt of cleared funds.

Thanks for looking - please also check out my other listings if you get the chance.