The dip circle is built to accomodate three sets of dip needles: three nine inch, three six inch and three three inch and these three sets are in fitted brass boxes. The dip circle is mounted on a horizontal circular base, supported on a tripod stand and engraved in degrees with two vernier scales and double fine adjusting screw and clamp. On the base is a box (glass and gunmetal) encasing the needle and agate bearing, with eight microscopes. A degree scale is engraved on the glass, plus clamp and adjusting screw. A horizontal needle is mounted in a cirular case on top of the box, with a degree scale. Also mounted on the circular base is a gas light and a circular frame carrying glass prisms for directing the light to illuminate the vertical degree scale and level. An empty needle box is marked AST0701.1 and three sets of dip needles in their boxes are marked AST0701.2-8.