The microscope, with its horseshoe base and tapered pillar, resembles the continental model that was increasingly becoming more popular during the period. However, the microscope differs from the standard continental microscope in an important way. In the continental model, the fine adjustment mechanism moves the entire limb along with the body-tube. With this Schrauer model however, the fine adjustment is actually a spring-loaded long lever mechanism. One end of the lever engages the screw of the adjustment knob while the other end moves the body tube. The limb remains stationary. The substage of this microscope consists of an aperture wheel embedded in the stage. The mirror slides on its arm, which can be swung in place above the stage for illumination of opaque objects.