Crafted in London England by Andrew Ross & Co., this all brass monocular compound polarized light microscope is dated 1839. 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.

Anchored by a solid tripod base, the circular pillar is capped by a compass joint. A Lister triangular limb (measuring 11-inches in length) bridges the body tube, stage, and condenser to the pillar. The microscope does not have a drawtube, and course adjustment is achieved by manipulating a pinion that moves the compound body tube closer or further away from the fixed stage. A short lever-type nosepiece supplies the fine adjustment feature. Two rack and pinion mechanisms furnish the mechanized specimen stage with rectangular motion. The lower portion of the stage is fitted with a breech-lock that is used to attach the condenser. Accessories include an eyepiece, polarizer, analyzer, and a Brooke double nosepiece. The inscription along the base reads, "Andrew Ross & Co., Opticians, 33 Regent St., Piccadilly", a common signature of the period.

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