Hensoldt Wetzlar #3127

Protami Field or Portable Microscope, c 1932

 Hensoldt Wetzlar   #3127. Protami Field or Portable Microscope, c 1932  Hensoldt Wetzlar   #3127. Protami Field or Portable Microscope, c 1932  Hensoldt Wetzlar   #3127. Protami Field or Portable Microscope, c 1932
 Hensoldt Wetzlar   #3127. Protami Field or Portable Microscope, c 1932 protame
Hensoldt Wetzlar serial number 3127. Protami Field or Portable Microscope. Stage Hensoldt Wetzlar serial number 3127. Protami Field or Portable Microscope. signed on top of the outer case

The Hensoldt Protami was introduced in 1925 in the form of the present example. Before 1935, an improved model was introduced. The outer case and the microscope are constructed of metal and brass with painted and chrome surface finishes. The cased microscope measures 6 1/4 inches tall, while the microscope is 9 1/2 inches tall with both drawtubes fully extended as shown in the photos. The microscope is focused by means the knurled collar located midway on the body of the microscope. The triple turret objective holder is equipped with objectives marked T, M, and P (n.a 1.30, 1/12). The latter is an oil immersion objective while the T objective is divisible for obtaining the lowest power settings. These objectives, along with various setting of the drawtubes, are designed to provide magnifications in the range 40-1200. The two drawtubes each have three calibrations for use with each objective. Additionally, the microscope is equipped with an Abbe condenser with iris diaphragm, flip-up stage clip, flat and concave mirrors on an adjustable arm. The stage can be flipped out of the optical path for easier access. The base can be screwed off revealing a compartment that holds a corked glass vial for immersion oil.

Patent for the Tami Microscope


two version of the Protami
Compare this with the improved model Protami


Edson Snow Pettis (1887-1953). Goldfield Nevada, c.1922

Edson Snow Pettis (1887-1953)
Goldfield Nevada, c.1922

This microscope was the working field instrument of Edson Snow Pettis (1887-1953). Originally from Somerset and Taunton Massachusetts, he was trained as a mining engineer and metallurgist by serving an apprenticeship with Abbot A. Hanks in San Francisco, in 1903. This can be ascertained by reading his first employment contract. He spent remainder of his career operating in the gold mines of the western United States, Canada, and South America. Undoubtedly, he found his Protami microscope a useful instrument for examining the output from these mines in the field.

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