Dating

One of the ways to date specific stands is by using their Microscope No. This is normally engraved on the body tube of the stand. However, stands like Bactils with interchangeable body tubes may bear two completely different numbers. Where possible the number on the Magnification card inside the case should be used. The dating of these stands seems to be a bit of a hit and miss affair if the studies are reliable as numbers that indicate a particular year are sometimes lower than numbers indicating an earlier year. Personally, I have not come across such a situation with stands that I have actually seen and numbers seem to fit in with numbers I have myself. The drawback is that my few stands are a very small sample. It would be interesting to receive information about others stands and to use this site to collate the entries. The information needed would be:- The Microscope number from the body tube The stand model Date (if documented on a Microscope No. card). Note:- if no date is specified then it will be assumed that no card exists, but the number will be fitted into the table to see if a reasonable chronology exists. Also, objectives have numbers. The same could be done for these and the information required would be:- The objective No. Type e.g. Para, Argus The stated working distance e.g. 2/3" Date (if documented on a Microscope No. card).Note:- if no date is specified then it will be assumed that no card exists, but the number will be fitted into the table to see if a reasonable chronology exists. To view sample Microscope No. Cards Click here To peruse the tables Click here