Antique Crookes Tube in Wenge Wood, 1890s

Details

Description

Very few of these tubes remain in working order today, which explains their rarity!
Specially designed base in solid wenge … Read more Very few of these tubes remain in working order today, which explains their rarity!
Specially designed base in solid wenge wood.

This OM 2 type tube is a derivative of the model produced by Pilon in collaboration with Dr. Joseph Belot in 1912.
It features a water-cooled anode system with a 300 ml metal reservoir. In addition to its robustness, the metal provides better heat dissipation than the glass reservoirs available at the time. The reservoir has two opposing caps, allowing for refilling whether the tube is positioned on or under the table for radiography or fluoroscopy.
The copper anode has a highly resistant tungsten target. It is surrounded by a glass sleeve designed to block stray charges that could damage the bulb.
The focus cathode is made of aluminum. Vacuum regulation is ensured by a Baur system. Mercury moves inside a siphon under the pressure of a rubber bulb (not shown here), allowing the gas to pass through a porous material. Note that the regulator is slightly offset for easier handling.
The OM 2 type has a 150 mm diameter balloon. It is a versatile tube suitable for radiography, fluoroscopy, or therapy, and accepts currents from 2 to 10 mA depending on the application.
This model was adopted by the French Army Medical Corps in 1914, as well as by several Allied armies. Thousands of units were produced. It represents the last generation of Crookes tubes before the advent of Coolidge tubes. This piece has an attribution mark,
I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution See less