Although the maker is unknown, this simple microscope is thought to be a linen tester type. The model featured below was redrawn from photographs of the original microscope, which is part of the Billings microscope collection at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington DC.

The microscope is built in a loupe-style design with a two-inch circular diameter with an inverted brass eyecup. Attached to the brass ring base is a one-inch tubular pillar with a knurled brass focusing screw. The ring base has been sawed at the front to make a spring and is fitted with a circular brass plate having a cross-shaped opening.

The arm attached to the pillar supports a heavy brass ring, which is secured with a threaded mount, and the lens (or body) tube screws into the brass ring. The threaded body tube contains a lens at the top and bottom, with an aperture diaphragm positioned between the two lenses. Focus is achieved by translating the threaded body upward or downward within its mount by rotating the threaded section.

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