{"title":"Vintage Scientific Instruments","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom  vintage scientific instruments to the weird and wonderful, we aim to bring a unique curated selection of tools and instruments, all that can tell stories about the past. Just being to hold such items gets the mind racing with images and discoveries of the past.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"vintage-bausch-lamb-colorimeter","title":"Bausch \u0026 Lomb Colorimeter — Antique Scientific Instrument, Early 20th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eA lovely classic colorimeter by Bausch \u0026amp; Lomb, dating from the mid-20th century. Colorimeters were essential instruments in chemistry, biology, and clinical laboratories — used to determine the concentration of a substance in solution by comparing the intensity of its colour against a known standard. Before electronic spectrophotometers became widespread, instruments like this were the backbone of analytical science in hospitals, universities, and industrial laboratories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cast iron body with brass objective — solidly built in the tradition of quality American scientific instruments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlass:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intact.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moves freely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMetal cover:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good condition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCosmetic:\u003c\/strong\u003e Some loss of paint on edges and a few small rubbed areas — consistent with laboratory use and age. No structural damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bausch \u0026amp; Lomb, Rochester, New York, USA — founded in 1853, one of the most prestigious names in American optical and scientific instrument manufacturing. Best known for microscopes, telescopes, and precision optics, Bausch \u0026amp; Lomb instruments are highly regarded by collectors worldwide.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eItem:\u003c\/strong\u003e Colorimeter — an optical instrument for measuring the absorbance or transmission of light through a coloured solution, used to determine chemical concentration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mid-20th century.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignificance:\u003c\/strong\u003e A substantial and handsome piece of American scientific heritage, equally at home in a scientific instrument collection or as a striking display object.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Curio Optics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":65291285201245,"sku":"0021","price":70.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1088\/1335\/3309\/files\/Photoroom_20260716_154438.jpg?v=1784364420"},{"product_id":"vintage-scientific-capillator-in-original-box-1952","title":"Vintage Scientific Capillator in original box 1952","description":"\u003cp\u003eA lovely vintage Capillator kit manufactured by The British Drug Houses Ltd (BDH), dating from around 1952. The Capillator was a compact clinical and laboratory testing instrument used to measure the acidity or alkalinity (pH) of liquids via colour matching — a simple, elegant method that predates electronic pH meters in everyday lab use. A fascinating piece of mid-century British scientific instrument making, complete in its original packaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompleteness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Complete — contains the micro capillaries, a bottle of thymol blue indicator solution, and caps, all in the original box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBox:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good condition for age with some wear and tear — areas of colour loss on edges and a torn corner, consistent with 70+ years of storage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContents:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good condition for age. Please refer to the photos for full detail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e The British Drug Houses Ltd (BDH) — founded in 1908 and based in London, BDH was one of Britain's foremost suppliers of laboratory chemicals, reagents, and scientific instruments to hospitals, universities, and industry. The BDH name is well known and respected among collectors of vintage scientific equipment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eItem:\u003c\/strong\u003e Capillator pH testing kit — uses micro capillary tubes and thymol blue, a pH indicator dye that changes colour across the pH range, allowing the user to determine acidity or alkalinity by visual colour comparison.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e c.1952.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignificance:\u003c\/strong\u003e A complete, boxed example of a mid-century laboratory instrument — rare to find intact and in original packaging. An excellent piece for collectors of scientific instruments or vintage laboratory equipment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Curio Optics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":65357554123101,"sku":"0024","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1088\/1335\/3309\/files\/IMG_4335_1.jpg?v=1784883265"},{"product_id":"abtus-voidmeter-gauge-1930s","title":"Abtus Voidmeter Railway Track Inspection Gauge c.1936 — Brass \u0026 Cast Iron, Patented","description":"\u003cp\u003eA rare and fascinating piece of British railway engineering history — an Abtus Voidmeter track inspection gauge, dating to circa 1936 (1936 patent, Part No. VN33). The Voidmeter was a precision instrument used by railway engineers to measure the deflection of track as a train passes over it, with the scale calibrated to indicate the quantity of ballast required to stabilise the deflection and restore the track to safe running condition. A highly specialised tool from the golden age of British railway infrastructure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOverall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Weathered, used condition — consistent with a working instrument of this age and purpose.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brass and cast iron construction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrass:\u003c\/strong\u003e Some tarnishing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e Some paint loss on main body.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScale fingers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Move freely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClamp:\u003c\/strong\u003e The clamp at the end needs freeing up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlease see photos for full condition detail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e Abtus — a British manufacturer of specialist railway engineering instruments and gauges, producing precision measurement tools for the railway industry in the early-to-mid 20th century.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInstrument:\u003c\/strong\u003e Voidmeter — a track geometry measurement device used to assess ballast voids beneath railway sleepers. When a train passes over a section of track, any deflection indicates insufficient ballast support; the Voidmeter quantifies this deflection and indicates the ballast required to correct it. An essential tool for maintaining safe track geometry on Britain’s railway network.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePatent:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1936. Part No. VN33.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1930s — the height of British railway engineering excellence, when the ‘Big Four’ railway companies (GWR, LMS, LNER, SR) maintained vast networks of track to exacting standards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAppeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e An exceptionally rare piece of British railway and industrial heritage — the Voidmeter is a highly specialised instrument that very few people will have encountered, making it a compelling acquisition for collectors of railwayana, industrial archaeology enthusiasts, and prop buyers seeking genuinely unusual objects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Curio Optics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":65564691759453,"sku":"0059","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1088\/1335\/3309\/files\/abtus-voidmeter-white-background.png?v=1786625640"},{"product_id":"original-nos-wwii-set-19-earth-strap","title":"original NoS WWII Set 19 earth strap","description":"Original NoS copper earth cable for the set 19 radio. This is in great condition with original store tag and no surface tarnishing.\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eApprox. 51.5 inches long.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Curio Optics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":65592298635613,"sku":"0070","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1088\/1335\/3309\/files\/57_61307b63-724e-4fab-bf5c-5d66918f4753.jpg?v=1786894395"},{"product_id":"vintage-1950s-allbrit-polar-planimeter-in-bakelite-case-collector-display","title":"Vintage Allbrit Polar Planimeter No. 32477 — W.F. Stanley \u0026 Co. Ltd, 1950s, Bakelite Case","description":"\u003cp\u003eA beautiful and complete mid-20th-century precision scientific instrument — the Allbrit Polar Planimeter No. 32477, produced by W.F. Stanley \u0026amp; Co. Ltd of London. The planimeter is one of the most elegant mechanical computing devices ever made: by tracing the perimeter of any irregular shape on a map, drawing, or technical plan, the rolling-disc mechanism calculates the enclosed area with remarkable precision. A staple of the surveyor's, cartographer's, and engineer's toolkit for over a century, and a supremely satisfying object to handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOverall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Complete and in very good condition for age.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArms:\u003c\/strong\u003e Some paint loss — consistent with age and use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMagnifier:\u003c\/strong\u003e No cracks — clean.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInstrument:\u003c\/strong\u003e All clean with some age patina.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original fitted case present — small signs of age and use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e W.F. Stanley \u0026amp; Co. Ltd, London — one of Britain's most distinguished manufacturers of scientific, surveying, and drawing instruments, founded by William Ford Stanley in 1853. Stanley instruments were used by engineers, surveyors, architects, and cartographers across the British Empire and beyond, and the firm's reputation for precision and quality was unrivalled in the British market.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Allbrit — W.F. Stanley's house brand for their precision instrument range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInstrument:\u003c\/strong\u003e Polar planimeter — a mechanical analogue computing device for measuring irregular areas on maps, drawings, and technical plans. The polar design uses a fixed anchor point and a tracing arm; as the tracing point follows the perimeter of the area, a rolling disc accumulates the measurement. Serial No. 32477.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1950s — the height of British precision instrument manufacturing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAppeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e A wonderfully complete and displayable example of British scientific instrument making at its finest — the combination of W.F. Stanley provenance, original fitted case, and working condition makes this a highly desirable piece for collectors of scientific instruments, drawing instruments, and Victoriana.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Curio Optics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":65592299094365,"sku":"0071","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1088\/1335\/3309\/files\/57_f7f7081d-5822-4a30-a82d-cbce66caf4a9.jpg?v=1786894422"},{"product_id":"air-ministry-ww2-bakerlite-plug-as-used-in-lancasters","title":"WW2 Air Ministry Bakelite Radio Plug Type 172 — Ref. 10H\/254B, Lancaster \u0026 Wellington Bombers, New Old Stock","description":"\u003cp\u003eA superb and rare original WW2 Air Ministry bakelite radio plug — Type 172, Ref. 10H\/254B — as used in Lancaster and Wellington bombers. This is almost certainly New Old Stock (NOS): unissued, it retains exceptional condition for its age and represents a direct, tangible connection to Britain's wartime aviation history. A remarkable piece of RAF and aviation militaria.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOverall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good condition — likely unissued New Old Stock.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLettering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Some minor fading — minimal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e A few small age-related scratches — nothing significant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 3.8cm diameter across the front.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProvenance\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIssuing authority:\u003c\/strong\u003e Air Ministry — the British government department responsible for the Royal Air Force from 1918 to 1964. Air Ministry-marked items are among the most collectible of all British militaria, carrying the AM broad arrow stamp that denotes official government issue.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Radio Plug Type 172, Ref. 10H\/254B — a standardised electrical connector used in the radio and intercom systems of RAF bomber aircraft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lancaster and Wellington bombers — two of the most iconic aircraft of the Second World War. The Avro Lancaster was the RAF's primary heavy bomber, famous for the Dambusters raid and countless other operations. The Vickers Wellington was the backbone of Bomber Command in the early war years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bakelite — the pioneering synthetic plastic widely used in wartime electrical components for its insulating properties and durability.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1939–1945.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAppeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e An exceptionally rare piece of RAF aviation history — the specific aircraft references, Air Ministry provenance, and NOS condition make this a highly desirable acquisition for collectors of WW2 militaria, aviation history enthusiasts, and prop buyers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e","brand":"Curio Optics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":65608914993501,"sku":"0072","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1088\/1335\/3309\/files\/57_a1b75189-2a35-4172-b597-bc8d97177b28.jpg?v=1787056797"},{"product_id":"vintage-dip-type-calomel-electrode-in-original-box","title":"Cambridge Instrument Co Dip-Type Calomel Electrode — Unused, Original Box, Vintage Laboratory","description":"\u003cp\u003eA fascinating and pristine piece of vintage British laboratory equipment — a dip-type calomel electrode produced by the Cambridge Instrument Company Ltd, in unused condition in its original box. An exceptional find for collectors of scientific instruments and laboratory curiosities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe calomel electrode is a reference electrode of great historical importance in electrochemistry: it provides a stable, known electrochemical potential against which other measurements can be made, and was a standard piece of equipment in analytical chemistry laboratories from the late 19th century through much of the 20th. The dip-type design allows the electrode to be immersed directly into a solution for pH and electromotive force measurements. This example has never been used — a remarkable survival in as-new condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eElectrode:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unused — as new.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBox:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original box — shows age-related wear, some tape residue and other marks on the exterior.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cambridge Instrument Company Ltd, Cambridge, England — one of the most prestigious British scientific instrument manufacturers of the 20th century, founded in 1881 and closely associated with the University of Cambridge. The company produced a wide range of precision instruments for research, industry, and medicine, and its name is a byword for quality and scientific rigour in the British instrument-making tradition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dip-type calomel electrode — a saturated calomel reference electrode (SCE) for use in electrochemical and pH measurement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAppeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e An extraordinary survival — an unused Cambridge Instrument Company electrode in its original packaging is a rare collector’s piece, a superb cabinet of curiosities object, and a striking and conversation-starting prop for period laboratory, film, and interior settings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Curio Optics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":65873641832797,"sku":"1100","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1088\/1335\/3309\/files\/IMG_6393.jpg?v=1788958893"},{"product_id":"eclipse-pioneer-bendix-avation-radio-inverter","title":"Eclipse - Pioneer (bendix) avation radio inverter","description":"The Eclipse-Pioneer (Bendix) Type 12143-2A is a vintage cylindrical aviation inverter used in the mid 20th C in aircraft electrical and radio systems. Historically used in aircraft radio and compass configurations where conversion from the aircrafts DC bus to specific AC voltages.\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003ePart Type: Type12143-2A\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eOverhauled in 1970\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eIn clean, used condition, complete with service tags. Surface wear and marks commensurate with being used in vintage aircraft and overhauled.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eQuite rare. Reasonably heavy. Postage included in price.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Bendix","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":65998707556701,"sku":"1009","price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1088\/1335\/3309\/files\/57_8768de8f-d005-4c8e-af35-9f7b9a685165.png?v=1790097170"},{"product_id":"carl-zeiss-jena-dumpy-tilting-level-ni-030","title":"Carl Zeiss Jena dumpy \/ tilting level Ni 030","description":"The Carl Zeiss Jenna Ni 030 is an engineers optical mechanical levelling instrument - dumpy \/ tilting level.\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eManufactured in the GDR, it features quality , high spec materials and design for the period.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDurable steel body\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZeiss Jena optics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternal focusing anallactic telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBubble levelling system.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn suppliers wooden box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eIn good cosmetic condition, a few marks and wear use to body but hardly noticeable. Optics are good, bubble levelling still works.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eOriginal box shows some wear to surface, marks etc and has distributers \/ retailors sticker on top.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Curio Optics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":65998707687773,"sku":"1014","price":43.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1088\/1335\/3309\/files\/57_db8e9382-4530-436d-9b20-c76730cb07be.jpg?v=1790097174"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1088\/1335\/3309\/collections\/Photoroom_20260716_154438.jpg?v=1784364673","url":"https:\/\/curiooptics.com\/en-us\/collections\/vintage-scientific-instruments.oembed","provider":"Curio Optics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}