This drum-style microscope has many features in common with the Culpeper microscope, except for the rectangular box that replaces the tripod stand and base.

These microscopes were produced in large quantities in Nuremberg and other parts of southern Germany during the first half of the eighteenth century. Their basic design and simplicity led them to be called Nuremberg "Toy" microscopes, and they were often showcased at the many toy fairs conducted in this region. The microscope is constructed of a turned wooden set of sliding tubes with bi-convex lenses serving as the eyepiece, tube lens, and objective. Focus can be accomplished by sliding one tube within another to change the distance between the tube and eye lens. Slots in the rectangular base allow a large specimen slide to be moved back and forth in the viewfield. A biconcave sub-specimen mirror serves to reflect ambient light into the optical tube.

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