B&l microscope from 1942?

[Radazz]

This is one I very nearly passed up because I was actually looking for an older one with the Spenser style knobs.



Then I took another look at the serial number. UK299.
The ‘how old is that microscope in the window’ translates this into 1942.


This is engraved on the base.


I got the impression that B&L microscopes produced between 1941 and 1944 are, if not rare, at least thin on the ground. I defer to wiser heads than mine to ask if this is indeed the case.

Thanks,
Jim

[apochronaut]

Interesting. That's a very short serial number. Might be that '42 was the first year for that stand. True, you don't see many B & L stands from the w.w. II years and most I have seen from Spencer , from whom there are more, are U.S. gov't. That one is cast iron and steel and brass? I wouldn't think there is any aluminum in there-----too precious a metal by 1942.

[Radazz]

Thanks for the info, Apo.
There is precious little information on line about Bosch & Lomb microscopes as opposed to Spenser.

Thanks again,
Jim

[charlie g]

Hi, Jim/Radazz, hi Phil/ apochronaught...wow that body tube serial number: " UK 299 "...was this ;lend/lease war effort equipment directed to our Brit friends at this trying time? Just a thought.

Charlie Guevara BTW The 'Lend/lease Act' passed 3/11/1941, it authorized ( thank you US Congress) supply of arms and all essential war-effort materials to other goverments whose war efforts were deemed essential to our US defense priorities.

Please opine, folks if Jim's : "UK 299" stand is a child of this WWII program?!

[MichaelG.]

Please opine, folks if Jim's : "UK 299" stand is a child of this WWII program?!

I would think not.
The tables at pages 3&4 of "HowOldIsThatMicroscopeIntheWindow" indicate that UK is simply a Bausch & Lomb product code, and therefore it is mere coincidence that United Kingdom springs to mind.
https://user.xmission.com/~psneeley/Per ... Window.pdf

MichaelG.

[charlie g]

Thank, thank you, Michael G., so this is a fairly early 1942 stand ("U"=1942), and it is in the 1942 class of: microscopes ("K"=class including microscopes). Thanks for setting me correct regards to serial # having no direct relationship to early 1942 US lend lease Act!

BTW...shame on me as a collector to 'hatch all these silly senarios'...rather than using the link you just shared...to unbox and clarify my family of stands production years.

Charlie Guevara...when I hear a thunder of hoves...I should think horses..not zebras?!!!

[MichaelG.]

...when I hear a thunder of hoves...I should think horses..not zebras?!!!

I do like that analogy, Charlie G.
I'm sure we're all guilty of 'thinking zebras'

MichaelG.