An antique Victorian Martin-type Drum Pattern Pocket Field Microscope c.1860, complete with its original wooden case. This type of simple field microscope was invented by Benjamin Martin, an English scientific instrument maker in the middle of the 18th century. Martin is believed to have produced several versions of this type of microscope between the 1750s and his death in 1782. In the mid-19th century the drum microscope was popularized by the instrument maker Georg Oberhausser, who was based in Paris from the 1830s. These microscopes would typicaly have been used in the field by amateur geologists, botanists and other scientists.
The microscope features a large mirror opening, a rotating mirror, extendable eyepiece, and a slide viewing platform within the central recess. It comes complete with its original wooden case and one slide.
Dimensions:
Case width: 175mm
Case depth: 70mm
Case height: 60mm
Microscope width: 45mm
Microscope height: 150mm
Microscope height (fully extended): 200mm
Condition:
The microscope is in good condition, with general signs of wear and use, some marks, and some wear to the original lacquered finish. In good working order, with a clear view. The wooden case is in good condition, with marks and wear and some repairs to cracks in the base of the box. The slide is in good condition.
