This microscope was introduced by Camille Sébastien Nachet in 1833, and was one of the first microscopes to feature crossed-polarized illumination for the examination of birefringent samples.

The body tube contains two Nicole prisms that are oriented with the light vibration directions being perpendicular to one another. One prism is fitted underneath the stage, while the other is placed in the removable eyepiece, just below the intermediate image plane. The microscope has a brass body tube that is fastened to the central pillar with a rack mount. A circular stage is also mounted in a fixed position on the pillar and has two spring clips to secure the specimen in place. Focusing is accomplished with a knurled knob that translates the body tube up and down in the rackwork. The substage plano-concave mirror is used to concentrate light into the single-lens condenser. Accessories include several interchangeable objectives and a higher power eyepiece.

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