Olympus serial number timeline

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jayjay
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Olympus serial number timeline

#1 Post by jayjay » Mon Mar 07, 2022 11:10 am

Hi Olympus collectors,
I have a couple of Olympus microscopes that I would like to date more accurately. I haven’t been able to find a plot of Olympus serial numbers versus year of manufacture as I’ve seen for other brands such as Leitz. If one exists, please let me know. If not, I was hoping we could make our own.
I have a nice little Olympus VT-2 stereo microscope with a dated inspection certificate and even the year engraved on it as it was a gift from the company (see pics). Just wondering if anyone else wants to add their serial numbers and documented year of manufacture so we can make a plot?

Serial # Year
228738 1975


Thanks, J.
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jayjay
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2022 9:09 am

Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#2 Post by jayjay » Tue Mar 15, 2022 10:39 am

This may be more challenging than I thought - it seems that at least some models may have their own serial number sequence. Here's what I have so far:

Chief body serial # Date Inspected
Model E
229693 28 April 1965
240989 30 August 1965
259574 18 April 1967
312697 26 Jan 1972

GC
91846 8 Dec 1948

GB
210526 8 Feb 1956
212013 26 May 1956
234732 30 Jan 1961

KM
204651 2 April 1966

SZ
202772 1968
246477 Feb 1974

ST
117965 19 Jan 1928
313058 7 Feb 1941

ST-3
404454 12 Feb 1971

VT-2
228738 April 1975

jayjay
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2022 9:09 am

Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#3 Post by jayjay » Wed Mar 23, 2022 7:10 am

I've made some progress with the serial numbers v Inspection Certificate dates for some models below.
Olympus serial number timeline_230322.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline_230322.jpg (63.23 KiB) Viewed 29979 times
It would be great to add some more data points and additional models if you have Inspection Certificate data you want to share.
Thanks, JJ.

jayjay
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2022 9:09 am

Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#4 Post by jayjay » Sun Mar 27, 2022 10:10 pm

A couple of additions:
Olympus serial number timeline_280322.jpg
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jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#5 Post by jayjay » Wed Mar 30, 2022 2:37 am

Thanks to those who have provided data. Here's a couple of additional models and data points:
Olympus serial number timeline_300322.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline_300322.jpg (70.92 KiB) Viewed 29686 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#6 Post by jayjay » Wed Apr 20, 2022 2:16 am

A few additions, plus I've further sub-divided some models
Olympus timeline_200422.JPG
Olympus timeline_200422.JPG (108.99 KiB) Viewed 29215 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#7 Post by jayjay » Tue May 03, 2022 3:32 am

Some more plus an edit to Model E bino
Olympus serial number timeline_030522.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline_030522.jpg (85.28 KiB) Viewed 29032 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#8 Post by jayjay » Mon Jun 06, 2022 10:16 am

A few more data points...
Olympus serial number timeline_060622.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline_060622.jpg (87.85 KiB) Viewed 28488 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#9 Post by jayjay » Mon Jun 27, 2022 3:38 am

More models and data points - thanks to all who have provided certificate info.
Olympus serial number timeline_270622.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline_270622.jpg (87.92 KiB) Viewed 28242 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#10 Post by jayjay » Tue Jun 28, 2022 2:56 am

I am very grateful to have been informed that Olympus Inspection Certificates written in Japanese used the traditional Japanese calendar year system, not the Western calendar year. The traditional Japanese calendar is based on how many years each emperor has reigned since beginning their rule, with each emperor given his own era name. Emperor Hirohito reigned from 1926 until his death in 1989 and this is known as the Showa era. Almost all vintage Olympus microscopes are from this era. The earliest Olympus microscopes from 1920-1926 are from the Taisho era.
Below is an example of a Showa era certificate for a Model GK microscope (serial #266485) inspected on 41.5.31 which equates to May 31 1966 according to https://www.ewc.co.jp/Pages/Information/CalendarEN.aspx
Olympus GK 266485 IC.JPG
Olympus GK 266485 IC.JPG (76.42 KiB) Viewed 28190 times
Based on this, I have edited some of the data. It now appears models ST, ST-2 and ST-3 can be combined into a single plot as their timelines appear continuous. I have also been able to add some additional data points to some models that didn't fit the timelines when read as Western calendar years. I have also corrected an error in a model SZ data point and added model UCE.

Olympus serial number timeline_280622.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline_280622.jpg (87.11 KiB) Viewed 28190 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#11 Post by jayjay » Wed Jun 29, 2022 8:58 pm

Hi all,
I appreciate the details of the plots are not easy to see. If anyone wants an approximate date of manufacture of one the models listed, then you’re welcome to send me your model and serial number and I’ll let you know which known dates it fits between.

jayjay
Posts: 38
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#12 Post by jayjay » Tue Jul 12, 2022 3:24 am

Model POM added
Olympus serial number timeline_120722.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline_120722.jpg (98.38 KiB) Viewed 27859 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#13 Post by jayjay » Sun Jul 17, 2022 11:28 am

A decent number of additional data points:
Olympus serial number timeline_170722.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline_170722.jpg (95.93 KiB) Viewed 27742 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#14 Post by jayjay » Sun Jul 31, 2022 4:25 am

A few additions plus hopefully a slightly more readable format.
Olympus model timelines_310722.JPG
Olympus model timelines_310722.JPG (109.4 KiB) Viewed 27516 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#15 Post by jayjay » Tue Aug 02, 2022 10:44 am

I've played around with the data received so far and I think I've found something interesting. Since the early 1950s, there are no serial numbers below 200000, even for models that were released in the 60s and 70s and for which I have a decent number of data points. This suggests to me that sometime in the mid-50s Olympus decided to re-structure their serial numbering system and start each new model at 200000. A cynic might think this was a marketing ploy to make it look like they were selling even more units than they were..?
So if you have serial number 200001 for a given model, you may actually have the first unit produced, and many of us may have much earlier units than we thought! It will be interesting to see if my theory holds up as more data is added - so please keep the Inspection Certificate info coming in!
All Data combined_020822.JPG
All Data combined_020822.JPG (42.71 KiB) Viewed 27407 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#16 Post by jayjay » Tue Aug 02, 2022 11:03 am

The other thing the combined dataset shows is that the various student ST and HS versions can be grouped into one timeline as follows.
Olympus model timelines_020822.JPG
Olympus model timelines_020822.JPG (137.02 KiB) Viewed 27404 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#17 Post by jayjay » Sun Aug 14, 2022 10:33 am

A few additions:
Olympus model timelines_140822.JPG
Olympus model timelines_140822.JPG (143.69 KiB) Viewed 27144 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#18 Post by jayjay » Sun Aug 28, 2022 10:30 am

New models and data points have been added to the mixed model graph and a labelling mistake to Homare UCE rectified.
I've decided to separate serial numbers below 200000 and pool the models into one graph for now - I've only received data for five of these to date and removing them makes reading the post-1954 timelines easier. It may be that pre-1954 models shared the same serial number sequence, but more data points are needed to confirm this.
Olympus model timelines pre-1954_140822.JPG
Olympus model timelines pre-1954_140822.JPG (29.93 KiB) Viewed 26695 times
Olympus model timelines_280822.JPG
Olympus model timelines_280822.JPG (153.64 KiB) Viewed 26694 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#19 Post by jayjay » Tue Sep 06, 2022 11:05 am

A few additions:
Olympus model timelines pre-1954_140822.JPG
Olympus model timelines pre-1954_140822.JPG (29.93 KiB) Viewed 26213 times
Olympus serial number timelines_060922.jpg
Olympus serial number timelines_060922.jpg (149.27 KiB) Viewed 26213 times
Olympus serial number timelines - mixed models_060922.JPG
Olympus serial number timelines - mixed models_060922.JPG (59.43 KiB) Viewed 26213 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#20 Post by jayjay » Fri Sep 16, 2022 1:30 am

Update
Olympus model timelines pre-1954_140822.JPG
Olympus model timelines pre-1954_140822.JPG (29.93 KiB) Viewed 25806 times
Olympus serial number timelines_160922.jpg
Olympus serial number timelines_160922.jpg (151.76 KiB) Viewed 25806 times
Olympus serial number timelines - mixed models_160922.JPG
Olympus serial number timelines - mixed models_160922.JPG (61.19 KiB) Viewed 25806 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#21 Post by jayjay » Tue Sep 27, 2022 5:44 am

Some more pre-1954 units have surfaced, plus there's a couple of additions to post-1954 timelines:
Olympus model timelines pre-1954_270922.JPG
Olympus model timelines pre-1954_270922.JPG (52.35 KiB) Viewed 25426 times
Olympus serial number timelines_270922.jpg
Olympus serial number timelines_270922.jpg (151.9 KiB) Viewed 25426 times
Olympus serial number timelines - mixed models_270922.JPG
Olympus serial number timelines - mixed models_270922.JPG (68.9 KiB) Viewed 25426 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#22 Post by jayjay » Wed Oct 12, 2022 9:25 am

Latest update. I've combined JM with SZ as both models use the same head.
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models pre-1954_121022.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models pre-1954_121022.jpg (74.02 KiB) Viewed 25124 times
Olympus serial number timeline Models E G STHS_121022.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline Models E G STHS_121022.jpg (109.87 KiB) Viewed 25124 times
Olympus serial number timeline Models K SZJM PM6_121022.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline Models K SZJM PM6_121022.jpg (86.04 KiB) Viewed 25124 times
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models_121022.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models_121022.jpg (75.84 KiB) Viewed 25124 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#23 Post by jayjay » Wed Nov 23, 2022 5:46 am

New information is only trickling in at present, so please contact me if you can add to the dataset.
There's a few updates to each of the graphs.
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models pre-1954_231122.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models pre-1954_231122.jpg (71.24 KiB) Viewed 24365 times
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models_231122.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models_231122.jpg (75.19 KiB) Viewed 24365 times
Olympus serial number timeline Models E G STHS_231122.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline Models E G STHS_231122.jpg (111.43 KiB) Viewed 24365 times
Olympus serial number timeline Models K SZJM PM6_231122.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline Models K SZJM PM6_231122.jpg (86 KiB) Viewed 24365 times

jayjay
Posts: 38
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#24 Post by jayjay » Mon Jan 23, 2023 5:48 am

Update with 47 new data points and some models separated to aid with readability
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models pre-1954_230123.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models pre-1954_230123.jpg (63.04 KiB) Viewed 23331 times
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models_230123.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models_230123.jpg (63.22 KiB) Viewed 23331 times
Olympus serial number timeline Models E G STHS_230123.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline Models E G STHS_230123.jpg (120.46 KiB) Viewed 23331 times
Olympus serial number timeline Models K SZJM PM6_230123.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline Models K SZJM PM6_230123.jpg (88.14 KiB) Viewed 23331 times
Olympus serial number timeline Models H MF FHF V VK VB452 VB454_230123.jpg
Olympus serial number timeline Models H MF FHF V VK VB452 VB454_230123.jpg (54.27 KiB) Viewed 23331 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#25 Post by jayjay » Sun Feb 05, 2023 10:48 pm

10 new data points and some improvements to layout. It appears the trinocular heads for models E, F & MF follow the same sequence.
Olympus serial number timeline Model E & bi tri heads_060223.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Model E & bi tri heads_060223.JPG (64.18 KiB) Viewed 22936 times
Olympus serial number timeline Model G & ST HS_060223.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Model G & ST HS_060223.JPG (80.54 KiB) Viewed 22936 times
Olympus serial number timeline Pre 1954 and mixed models_060223.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Pre 1954 and mixed models_060223.JPG (79.79 KiB) Viewed 22936 times
Olympus serial number timeline Models K & SZ JM_060223.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Models K & SZ JM_060223.JPG (62.22 KiB) Viewed 22936 times
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models F MF H & PM camera adapter_060223.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models F MF H & PM camera adapter_060223.JPG (57.15 KiB) Viewed 22936 times
Last edited by jayjay on Mon Feb 06, 2023 1:00 am, edited 1 time in total.

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#26 Post by jayjay » Sun Feb 05, 2023 10:51 pm

I've combined the different V models I have data for. There's evidently a couple of different serial number sequences. More data will help clarify relationships within the dataset.
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models V_060223.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models V_060223.JPG (32 KiB) Viewed 22936 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#27 Post by jayjay » Tue Mar 21, 2023 10:02 am

I've finally found time to sort through some of the data I have for objectives. As with the microscope chief bodies and heads, the data suggests the objective serial numbers were reset to start from 200000 in mid-1954.
Olympus serial number timeline 10X objectives_200323.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline 10X objectives_200323.JPG (42.62 KiB) Viewed 21987 times
Olympus serial number timeline 40X objectives_200323.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline 40X objectives_200323.JPG (41.82 KiB) Viewed 21987 times
I'm not sure what's going on with the 100X data around 1965 - it appears a new objective model was introduced with a serial number reset to 400000.
Olympus serial number timeline 100X objectives_200323.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline 100X objectives_200323.JPG (41.1 KiB) Viewed 21987 times
I also have limited info on other types of objectives e.g. 4X, 20X, 60X etc and will add more figures once I receive additional data.

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#28 Post by jayjay » Wed Jun 14, 2023 10:07 am

Data is coming in very slowly - update with 50 new data points spread across all models
Olympus serial number timeline Pre 1954 and mixed models_140623.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Pre 1954 and mixed models_140623.JPG (77.12 KiB) Viewed 19580 times
Olympus serial number timeline Model G & ST HS_140623.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Model G & ST HS_140623.JPG (82.19 KiB) Viewed 19580 times
Olympus serial number timeline Model E & bi tri heads_140623.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Model E & bi tri heads_140623.JPG (71.49 KiB) Viewed 19580 times
Olympus serial number timeline Models K & SZ JM_140623.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Models K & SZ JM_140623.JPG (62.42 KiB) Viewed 19580 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#29 Post by jayjay » Wed Jun 14, 2023 10:09 am

Model X-Tr stereomicroscope and objectives 4X, 20X & 60X added. 4X objective appears split into two serial number groupings: >400,000 and <400,000
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models V & X_140623.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models V & X_140623.JPG (51.78 KiB) Viewed 19579 times
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models F MF H & PM camera adapter_140623.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models F MF H & PM camera adapter_140623.JPG (56.53 KiB) Viewed 19579 times
Olympus serial number timeline 10X 40X 100X objectives_140623.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline 10X 40X 100X objectives_140623.JPG (116.98 KiB) Viewed 19579 times
Olympus serial number timeline 4X 20X 60X objectives_140623.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline 4X 20X 60X objectives_140623.JPG (50.55 KiB) Viewed 19575 times

jayjay
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Re: Olympus serial number timeline

#30 Post by jayjay » Mon Oct 09, 2023 6:50 am

Latest update with 60 additional data points
Olympus serial number timeline Pre 1954 and mixed models_091023.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Pre 1954 and mixed models_091023.JPG (128.18 KiB) Viewed 17530 times
Olympus serial number timeline Model G & ST HS_091023.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Model G & ST HS_091023.JPG (130.77 KiB) Viewed 17530 times
Olympus serial number timeline Model E & bi tri heads_091023.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Model E & bi tri heads_091023.JPG (114.25 KiB) Viewed 17530 times
Olympus serial number timeline Models K & SZ JM_091023.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Models K & SZ JM_091023.JPG (103.36 KiB) Viewed 17530 times
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models V & X_091023.JPG
Olympus serial number timeline Mixed models V & X_091023.JPG (96.15 KiB) Viewed 17530 times

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