Lensometer: Spencer American Scientific M603B

[berntd]

Hello

I have this old (vintage?) lensometer Model M603B from Spencer / American Optical.

I know nothing about it and I was wondering if ayone here can say when these were made and if they are any good.

A search has not yielded anything useful so far.

Perhaps someone even has some data and instructions for this machine?

Kind regards
Bernt

[Howard Gorin]

Excellent instrument. Works like any other machine. Some were made with no lens marker or dotter that limits the usefulness of the instrument. Make sure there is some lubrication on the target slide and wipe off the target and the eyepiece, that is where the most objectionable dirt accumulates. The instrument uses a 15 watt intermediate base FROSTED lamp, a clear lamp will make low power cylinder lenses hard to read;)

[chip anderson]

I kind of remember that the A-O lensometer once had a tag on it that said it was made by Spencer Lens Company. But it's been a very long time and I am not certian. But possibly what you have is one made prior to A-O and Spencer getting together.

Chip

[berntd]

Hello

Thanks for that. I think this may be an ealy one. Perhaps 1930s or 40s. It looks very similar to ones I can find in the net but has an older simpler look to it and no knurling on the adjustment screws etc.

Thanks for the tip with the 15W frosted lamp. I hope I can get a 240V verion of that.
I will need to replace the wiring too as it is completely perished.

If someone has any other information or suggestions on it, please don't be shy :-)


Kind Regards
Bernt

[Jacqui]

If someone has any other information or suggestions on it, please don't be shy :-)

Museum??

This is actually the forerunner of the later AO 11603 and 12603. The insides are almost totally identical. The cases were modernised is about all, some parts even interchange.

[hcjilson]

You can also get some info if you have the serial number.

[berntd]

Hello

The serial number is L6914 but so far online searches have been no real help.

Kind regards
Bernt

[rbaker]

I do recall that AO acquired Spencer many moons ago. A little research and you find:

19th century journal reprints

A Compound Achromatic Microscope made by Charles A. Spencer, of Canastota
By C.R. Gilman, M.D., Professor of Obstetrics in the college of Physicians and Surgeons, NY A letter from Prof Bailey to The American Journal of Science
An 1847 testimonial to the excellence of Spencer's microscope.
Charles A. Spencer
The American Journal of Microscopy, 1876
Charles Spencer's 1872 Price-List of Microscopes
From The Microscope & Microscopical Technology, Heinrich Frey, 1880 American edition.

[berntd]

Hello,
Thanks for this. i did some research earlier and found that AO bought Spencer in 1935.

My lensometer looks like the 1938 model shown on this page:
http://www.dickwhitney.net/aoscientif.htm

That is pretty much all I could find so far.

Regards
Bernt

[edKENdance]

Hello,
Thanks for this. i did some research earlier and found that AO bought Spencer in 1935.

My lensometer looks like the 1938 model shown on this page:
http://www.dickwhitney.net/aoscientif.htm

That is pretty much all I could find so far.

Regards
Bernt

Interesting. Have one that looks exactly like it in the basement. I'll see what I can read off of it tomorrow and take a pic.

[rbaker]

Hello,
Thanks for this. i did some research earlier and found that AO bought Spencer in 1935.

My lensometer looks like the 1938 model shown on this page:
http://www.dickwhitney.net/aoscientif.htm

That is pretty much all I could find so far.

Regards
Bernt

Dick Whitney has done much to tell the AO story. His tireless work is much appreciated.

[Chris Ryser]

Antique Lensometer JR, manufactured by the Spencer Lens Company around 1920. Still works great, todays value about US $ 300.00

[mlm]

One of my docs still uses an AO M603A daily...still in perfect condition! I posted a photo a few years back when I was trying to find replacement bulbs for it. Still haven't found the bulbs, but haven't given up hope either!!

(Howard, do you know off hand if the A and B models use the same type of bulb?)

[CuriousCat]

I've got one of them as well. Used it until the day I closed my shop.

[berntd]

Hello all and thank you for the replies!

I managed to obtain a replacement globe at the local hardware store for this instrument. It is the same as used in some fridges or garden lights.

I now have some more technical questions regarding this instrument.

1: Should the target have 3 vertical lines and 1 horizontal at axis = 180 or should it be vice versa with 1 vertical and 3 horizontal? Mine is currently the first option.

2: Should the little pins for marking the lens be spring loaded? I currently only have one pin assembly and it is not spring loaded. It looks like a tiny spring could be missing though.

Kind regards
Bernt

[Hendrixmcguire]

This is such a cool piece of old equipment. I am displaying it in a window outside of my shop. It is in mint condition. And to think it's been hanging out in the storage room all these years.
Rhonda
Hendrix and McGuire

[RIMLESS]

I've got one of these hanging aound my office too. I believe it's almost heavy enough to use as a boat anchor.