Wild M20 KGS research compound microscope stand
Date: 1960
Inventory Number: 1997-1-0722
Classification: Microscope
Subject:
Maker: Wild Heerbrugg Ltd. (1921 - 1989)
Supplier: Wild Heerbrugg Instruments Inc. (founded circa 1955)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
with binocular tube in place: 37 x 25 x 21 cm (14 9/16 x 9 13/16 x 8 1/4 in.)
DescriptionThis inventory number represents the Wild M20 compound microscope stand and a small set of basic accessories. With a few exceptions (the substage, the built-in lamp, and the centering inset lens), most of the accessories included in this basic configuration are separately cataloged (see below). What is mounted on the stand corresponds roughly but not exactly to the configuration identified as "M 20 KGS" (Part Number 2503) on the shipping invoice (see CHSI instrument file) and in the main manual, pp. 42-43 (Other Wild catalogs are located in CHSI library).
With the exception of the microscope case (Inv# 1997-1-0723), all accessories purchased or found with this microscope have been given inventory numbers from 1997-1-2062 to 1997-1-2223. Everything has been grouped together into the Object Package named "Wild M20."
These are the components of the current configuration:
1. Low-placed focusing knobs on both sides of the stand. Not removable, not separately cataloged. The coarse and fine adjustments are co-axial. The drum scale is divided into 0.002 mm intervals and the fine adjustment has intervals of 0.0005 mm. Two ribbed rubber rings (Inv# 1997-1-2215, stored separately) may fit onto the largest two knobs.
2. Substage with rack and pinion adjustment for carrying various condensers. Not removable, not separately cataloged. On the brass inner surface of the vertical slot where this substage is mounted, the number "37" has been scratched by hand. Not removable.
3. Rotatable and centrable mechanical stage type Kd, with scales and verniers. Not removable, but separately cataloged as Inv# 1997-1-2065 and 1997-1-2066. (According to the Main Manual, basic configuration M20 KGS should include a simpler stage, type K, which is not rotatable. Compare configuration "M 20 KdGS" in Main Manual, pp. 46-47, which seems to be a better match for what is here.)
4, Built-in lamp type S, set up on the Koehler illumination principle. Semi-removable (see below) but not separately cataloged. Used with separate regulating transformer (Inv# 1997-1-2145) and junction cable (Inv# 1997-1-2214). Centering inset lens on top of base plate can hold one or two round filters and can be nudged in any direction by hand.
[Both lamp and lens are removable: Lamp can be unlocked with lever on side and slid completely out of base plate in order to replace bulb. (There is a clear bulb currently in place; replacements are at Inv# 1997-1-2143 and 1997-1-2144.) Centering inset lens can be removed by pushing upward from the underside of the base plate.]
5. Quadruple revolving nosepiece. Removable and separately cataloged as Inv# 1997-1-2207.
6. Binocular inclined eyepiece tube. Removable and separately cataloged as Inv# 1997-1-2206.
7. Round daylight filters, clear and frosted. These are the only components of the basic configuration that are stored separately. They appear separately on the invoice and are cataloged as Inv# 1997-1-2156 and 1997-1-2157. (See also Inv# 1997-1-2217, which appears to be a daylight filter as well.) These, like all the many filters included among the accessories, can be seated manually atop the lamp's centering inset lens, or they can be placed in a filter-exchanger (Inv# 1997-1-2138) which can be attached above the centering inset lens, by first unscrewing the large screw at the front of the base plate to expose the mounting hole.
With the exception of the microscope case (Inv# 1997-1-0723), all accessories purchased or found with this microscope have been given inventory numbers from 1997-1-2062 to 1997-1-2223. Everything has been grouped together into the Object Package named "Wild M20."
These are the components of the current configuration:
1. Low-placed focusing knobs on both sides of the stand. Not removable, not separately cataloged. The coarse and fine adjustments are co-axial. The drum scale is divided into 0.002 mm intervals and the fine adjustment has intervals of 0.0005 mm. Two ribbed rubber rings (Inv# 1997-1-2215, stored separately) may fit onto the largest two knobs.
2. Substage with rack and pinion adjustment for carrying various condensers. Not removable, not separately cataloged. On the brass inner surface of the vertical slot where this substage is mounted, the number "37" has been scratched by hand. Not removable.
3. Rotatable and centrable mechanical stage type Kd, with scales and verniers. Not removable, but separately cataloged as Inv# 1997-1-2065 and 1997-1-2066. (According to the Main Manual, basic configuration M20 KGS should include a simpler stage, type K, which is not rotatable. Compare configuration "M 20 KdGS" in Main Manual, pp. 46-47, which seems to be a better match for what is here.)
4, Built-in lamp type S, set up on the Koehler illumination principle. Semi-removable (see below) but not separately cataloged. Used with separate regulating transformer (Inv# 1997-1-2145) and junction cable (Inv# 1997-1-2214). Centering inset lens on top of base plate can hold one or two round filters and can be nudged in any direction by hand.
[Both lamp and lens are removable: Lamp can be unlocked with lever on side and slid completely out of base plate in order to replace bulb. (There is a clear bulb currently in place; replacements are at Inv# 1997-1-2143 and 1997-1-2144.) Centering inset lens can be removed by pushing upward from the underside of the base plate.]
5. Quadruple revolving nosepiece. Removable and separately cataloged as Inv# 1997-1-2207.
6. Binocular inclined eyepiece tube. Removable and separately cataloged as Inv# 1997-1-2206.
7. Round daylight filters, clear and frosted. These are the only components of the basic configuration that are stored separately. They appear separately on the invoice and are cataloged as Inv# 1997-1-2156 and 1997-1-2157. (See also Inv# 1997-1-2217, which appears to be a daylight filter as well.) These, like all the many filters included among the accessories, can be seated manually atop the lamp's centering inset lens, or they can be placed in a filter-exchanger (Inv# 1997-1-2138) which can be attached above the centering inset lens, by first unscrewing the large screw at the front of the base plate to expose the mounting hole.
In Collection(s)
Signedon spine of stand: Wild Heerbrugg Switzerland M20
on centering inset lens: WILD / HEERBRUGG / MADE IN SWITZERLAND
on end of lamp: WILD / HEERBRUGG / SWITZERLAND
on centering inset lens: WILD / HEERBRUGG / MADE IN SWITZERLAND
on end of lamp: WILD / HEERBRUGG / SWITZERLAND
Inscribedon spine beneath maker's mark: M20- 16509
FunctionThis model was sold as a general purpose and research microscope.
Historical AttributesOn September 2, 1960, David P. Wheatland ordered a Wild research microscope, model M20 KGS along with a comprehensive assortment of accessories and nearly all the attachments offered. He told the Wild vendor that:
"It is intended to use all thse for comparison, demonstration, and some for investigation. Eventually perhaps other basic instruments may be ordered and the accessories distributed among them. We are anxious therefore to have the list as complete as possible to make all the tests and optical experiments."
DPW also ordered a complete set of brochures for the library.
The initial cost of the purchase was $6000.
"It is intended to use all thse for comparison, demonstration, and some for investigation. Eventually perhaps other basic instruments may be ordered and the accessories distributed among them. We are anxious therefore to have the list as complete as possible to make all the tests and optical experiments."
DPW also ordered a complete set of brochures for the library.
The initial cost of the purchase was $6000.
Curatorial RemarksMost accessories are catalogued under CHSI inventory numbers running from 1997-1-2062 to 1997-1-2223, and are stored separately. The case is 1997-1-0723.
Primary SourcesWild Heerbrugg, General Purpose and Research Microscope, WILD M20, pamphlet Mi 604 e (Heerbrugg, Switzerland, 1956).