The microscope limb and base is black
enameled cast iron with the tube and knobs having a bright
lacquer surface finish. The microscope has a nickel plated
calibrated draw-tube to extend its length. As shown in the
photos with the draw-tube closed the microscope measures
about 11 1/2-inches tall in the inclined position. The
microscope focuses using a rack and pinion. The fine focus
is by tube-mounted micrometer screw which moves the nosepiece. The
swinging movement of the mirror arm will allowed oblique
illumination including above-stage illumination. The
mirror is double sided with plane and concave glasses.
This firm was started
by two brothers Edward & Frederick Tighe. They
were born in Canada to Irish parents. They emigrated
to the US in the 1870's where they later set up an
optical business in Detroit. The Tighe firm was active for only
about 10 years. It has been said that they
worked closely with the Gundlach Optical
Co. of Rochester, New York.