Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

    

Microscope 158 (J Swift & Son; four-legged microscope; c. 1895)

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James Swift were microscope makers trading from London and founded in 1853 by James Powell Swift, who was son of the watchmaker Thomas Swift. Before founding his company, James Swift was apprenticed to the well-known microscope maker Andrew Ross. In 1881 they made improvements to microscope design, including the replacement of the straight rack and pinion focusing to helical cut components and a new fine focus system. In 1884, Mansell James Swift, son of James Powell, joined the company and the name was changed to James Swift & Son. In 1901, Captain Scott was supplied with Swift microscopes for use on the R.R.S. Discovery for the 1901-1904 expedition, named in the catalogue of the time as the 'Discovery' model. In 1903, Mansell Powell John Swift, grandson of the founder, joined the company. In 1906, the founder of the company, James Powell Swift, died. In 1912, the company was incorporated as a limited company and the name changed to J. Swift Ltd. In 1942, both Mansell Powell and Mansell James died. In 1946, ER Watts and Son Ltd took over the company, mainly due to the association between the Watts and Swift families in earlier years. In 1949, they employed John H. Basset who, in 1968, took over the company. Microscope 158 is signed ‘J. SWIFT & SON, LONDON N.W, PATENT 24960’ and can be dated to c. 1895. This instrument was described in catalogues of the company as the ‘Swift & Son’s recently patented 4-legged microscope stand’. The two back legs are made to swing on a pivot. When the back legs are reversed for packing, the microscope fits into smaller boxes and is more easily stored and transported (Figure 1). Other versions of the Swift & Son’s four-legged microscope stand were sold, including a portable histological microscope and a petrological microscope.

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Figure 1. The Swift & Son’s 4-legged microscope as pictured in the 1894 volume of the Journal of Royal Microscopical Society.

 

References

James Swift and Son (https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/James_Swift_and_Son), last accessed on 12.08.2020

J. Swift and Son London W. patent 24960, Portable Histological microscope. c. 1897 (http://www.antique-microscopes.com/photos/swifthist.htm), last accessed on 15.12.2020

Patented microscope in case, by J. Swift and Son (https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co119454/patented-microscope-in-case-by-j-swift-and-son-compound-monocular-microscopes), last accessed on 15.12.2020

J. Swift & Sons Histological Compound Microscope (https://exhibits.uncc.edu/s/Microscopes/item/1764), last accessed on 15.12.2020

Early Swift Portable Petrological brass microscope (http://arsmachina.com/swift1273.htm), last accessed on 15.12.2020

 

 

 

 

LAST EDITED: 26.01.2021