What is the vintage microscope seen in the opening credits of Quincy, M.E.?

The microscope briefly shown in the intro credits of Quincy, M.E. is likely a vintage Bausch & Lomb or American Optical stereoscope, a type of stereo microscope popular in the 1960s and 1970s. These microscopes provide a three-dimensional view of larger objects and specimens, making them ideal for medical and forensic investigations.

Possible Model:

The instrument closely resembles a gray Bausch & Lomb StereoZoom microscope or maybe American Optical, featuring:

• Zoom magnification ranging from 0.7x to 3x
• 10x eyepieces
• Both top and bottom illumination option no doubt available
• Accessories such as darkfield lighting, object holders, and fine tweezers

Why the large circular viewing area?

Unlike traditional microscopes that use individual slides or very small samples, stereoscopes have a large circular viewing display, allowing users to observe larger, solid objects such as tissue samples, anatomical specimens, or small manufactured parts in three dimensions. This makes them particularly useful in forensic labs for examining things like tissue, organs, or other biological material where spatial context is crucial.

🧠 Historical Context:

Bausch & Lomb was a leading manufacturer of medical optical instruments, and their stereo microscopes were widely used in medical research, anatomical studies, and clinical labs during the era. The inclusion of such a microscope in Quincy, M.E. helps ground the show in authentic forensic science and medical investigation.

While the exact model can’t be definitively identified from the brief shot, it’s very likely a Bausch & Lomb stereo microscope—a perfect fit for the show’s medical-legal setting, providing detailed, 3D examination of larger specimens rather than thin slices on slides.