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Caldwell Automatic Microtome and Blade Case, by Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company, Cambridge, 1884

Inventory Number 85637

Item type
Object
Provenance
Transferred from the Department of Zoology, Oxford, in 1970, per Professor Pringle.
Primary inscriptions
Signed on a brass plaque: 'CAMBRIDGE SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT COMPANY 1884'. Reverse of cutting blade: "THE ROYAL [royal arms] NAVY RAZOR". Accompanying blade case stamped "THOMAS [TURNER] & Co / SUFFOLK WORKS. / SHEFFIELD ENG." and "TRADE MARK / [symbol] / ENCORE".
Other inscriptions
Modern sticky label with inventory number: '85637'
Object type
Microtome
Dimensions
Height: 235mm Width: 496mm Depth: 230mm
Inventory No
85637
Accession Number
1970-41

Description

Caldwell Automatic Microtome, manufactured by Cambridge Scientifc Instrument Company, 1884.

Sledge microtome, constructed of Fe alloy, with Cu alloy ratchets and mechanism. Features a paraffin wax block, containing a specimen sample which can be advanced mechanically by a ratchet after each pass under the knife. The cutting blade is a cut-throat razor, held in position by two screw clamps. Razor still has its plastic cover attached, and is engraved on the reverse: "THE ROYAL [royal arms] NAVY RAZOR".

Microtome has a signed brass plaque reading : 'CAMBRIDGE SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT COMPANY 1884'. The number "14" is stamped in at least 7 positions on the object. Presumably this is a manufacturing batch number.

The attachment for receiving the continuous section ribbon is missing.

Modern sticky label attached to base with inventory number: '85637'

Card case for holding cutting blade. Case seperates into two halves.

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