The microscope is marked J. Swift & Son, London, No. 438 on one side of the outer tube and Military Portable, agents Hughes Owens Co. on the other side. The Hughes Owens Co. was the sales agent for Swift in Canada. Swift originally called this model the New Field and Seaside Portable Folding Microscope and later the Portable Clinical and Field Microscope. It was described as follows:

Portable Clinical and Field Microscope.

This Microscope was originally designed to meet the requirements of the Bacteriologist who needed an instrument of upmost portability. It Is particularly serviceable to members of Microscopical and Natural History Societies as its extreme portability. combined with greatest steadiness and efficiency for high power investigations, recommends it strongly. These instruments are in very general use in India and Africa amongst those working on Malaria, Sleeping sickness, etc., and have been supplied in great numbers to the Army Medical and Army Veterinary Departments, the Crown Agents or the Colonies, the United States Government, etc. Coarse Adjustment by Diagonal Rack and Pinion. Fine Adjustment by Direct Acting micrometer Screw. The Optical Tube slides in a cloth lined fitting to allow of the use of very low powers. The Draw-Tube is divided and figured in millimeters. It takes objectives; oculars and condensers of R.M.S standard size while all the more general accessory apparatus can be accommodated. Normally, it is provided with a plain under stage tube to carry a condenser but a screw focusing and swing-out sub-stage can be fitted if desired. It is supplied in a stiff leather case measuring approximately 9-in x 4-in x 3-in, which has provision for carrying, in addition to the stand, a sub-stage condenser, two oculars, three objectives, etc.

A binocular version of this microscope is also in this collection.