A very fine Bausch & Lomb “Model” microscope that was made from 1883-1896.  It is signed, “Bausch & Lomb, Optical Co.”, on the stage, and comes with one original eyepiece and two lenses.  The closed height is 12".  The limb design was attributed to Gundlach when he was with the Bausch & Lomb firm. This design was both practical and popular, and lasted into the 20^th century.  The lenses are a ¾” and 1/5”, both signed with an original signed brass canister for the 1/5" lens.  The optical system is superb for its era.  It is an authentic, early system marked as the "student" series for an 8 1/2" tube length.  The lenses produce excellent images of high contrast, sharpness, and bright color.  Coarse focus is rack and pinion, and fine focus is achieved with a micrometer knob on top of the limb.  The mirror is plano-concave, excellent on the plane side, and showing age spotting on the concave side.  The mirror can rotate on a compass joint so that it can be used above stage for oblique illumination of opaque subjects.  The substage condenser is a wheel of stops.  The microscope is finished in lacquered brass with a black painted base.  The finish is complete with some spotting to the optical tube and stage.  A mahogany case with brass carry handle and interior accessory drawer holds the microscope and its accessories.  The case is in very fine, usable condition with lock but no key, and an interior accessory drawer.  This is a very fine example of an early American instrument.  Its rare, fine condition makes a handsome display, while its excellent optical system makes it a joy to use.