Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

    

Microscope 66 (J Swift & Son; Army Bacteriological Microscope; c. 1900)

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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 66 is an example of the J. Swift & Son’s Army Bacteriological Microscope and can be dated to c. 1900 (Figure 1). This microscope was designed for the staff of the Medical Department of the War Office, being specially intended for bacteriological investigations and other high-class work. This microscope was considered by the British War Office as the Army Medical Standard Microscope.

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Figure 1. J. Swift & Son’s Army Bacteriological Microscope model as engraved in the 1906 company’s Catalogue of Microscopes (22nd ed).

 

References

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

'NEW HISTOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL MICROSCOPE' (https://www.microscope-antiques.com/discoveryEXP.html), last accessed on 12.08.2020

J. Swift & son "Discovery" model, c.a. 1905 (http://www.igm.cnr.it/pagine-personali/maga/maga-microscopes/swift/), last accessed on 12.08.2020

MAKER: JAMES SWIFT & SON; MODEL: 'BACTERIOLOGICAL' MICROSCOPE WITH OPTIONAL TRAVIS 'ROLLER STAGE' (https://www.microscope-antiques.com/swiftbact.html), last accessed on 13.08.2020

James Swift & Son (1906) Catalogue of microscopes (22nd Edition)

 

LAST EDITED: 15.08.2020