Historic military Telescopes: Early 19thC Dollond

Atlantia · 7th January 2009, 01:23 AM

I know this isn't a weapon, but these certainly were instrumental in influencing many battles, so I thought they might make an interesting aside.

I want to share with you all a piece from my collection. A rare vintage pocket telescope from the beginning of the 19thC made by the most famous of makers 'Dollond'.
Military personel now take for granted their incredibly complex optical devices, night vision, thermal imaging, the list is endless.
but here is where 'mass produced' long range optical devices really came of age.
Dollond is credited with retailing the first telescopes which did not suffer from Chromatic aberration (he is actually credited with solving the problem but in fact followed from anothers work).
His 'day and night' telescopes were common military and naval equipment. Nelson used one in fact. The military significance of Dollond telescopes cannot be overstated.

So, here is my little telescope, small enough to fit in a tunic pocket, and yet still powerful and clear. closed it is about 5 inches long.
The 3 'drawers' are brass, with the main outer barrel being carved from wood. This type is routinely dated to 1780-1820 on websites.
This type is sometimes refered to as 'army' type due to it being popular with officers of the time.

Imagine the sights it could have seen!

M ELEY · 8th January 2009, 11:30 AM

Nice piece! As a collector of nautical/maritime/privateer pieces, I find these early telescopes fascinating. The earliest ones were just long, wooden hexigonal tubes of one piece construction. AS you pointed out, Dolland was one of the most famous (and prolific) of makers. The sailors used to call these the 'bring 'em near' for obvious reasons. Thanks for sharing this piece!

Rick · 8th January 2009, 05:42 PM

Is Spencer Browning a recognised London Maker ?

I have an 'improved' single draw ship's model engraved with the maker name in the style of yours .

Atlantia · 8th January 2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Is Spencer Browning a recognised London Maker ?

I have an 'improved' single draw ship's model engraved with the maker name in the style of yours .

Yes I've seen several described as by that maker.
can you post some pics?

Rick · 8th January 2009, 06:43 PM

Here you go .
Been in the family forever .
Dad recovered the barrel and added turks heads .

Atlantia · 8th January 2009, 07:01 PM

Well Rick!
Thats an impressive device! I'm sure Mr Eley willl be more or an expert on it than I, but I'll certainly give an opinion!

Your Dads recovering isn't a problem, the leather looks fine, and the turks heads add to the nautical look.
Apart from that it looks pretty original.
So, does it work? Do you get a good clear image? It should be fairly simple to take apart and carefully clean if its a bit grubby inside.
Date! Well, its a fairly complex instrument, with a leather covered brass outer barrel, the makers name looks hand engraved and is in nice script, so I'd guess at about 1840-60.
Its a fine piece, very expensive in its day. And its day was a golden age!

Regards
Gene

P.S.

I really rate these early telescopes.
I'm assuming yours IS nautical, and of course that was the most common use for them. Forget the Naval warships, and Just think of the other ships of the mid 19th that would have had one of these onboard (or two!)
The Clippers racing across the oceans, the other trade ships, the explorers, the passenger carriers, the steamers, the river boats, every one needed a good telescope, and every time (almost) something worthy of note happened or was seen or discovered, it was seen first through the Telescope.

I always think of Nelson holding the telescope to his blind eye! lol
These instruments are an incredibly important part of world history.

Phew, *enthusiasm off*

Atlantia · 8th January 2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Nice piece! As a collector of nautical/maritime/privateer pieces, I find these early telescopes fascinating. The earliest ones were just long, wooden hexigonal tubes of one piece construction. AS you pointed out, Dolland was one of the most famous (and prolific) of makers. The sailors used to call these the 'bring 'em near' for obvious reasons. Thanks for sharing this piece!

I do love the naval ones! These things were so important for the Navy, even reading communications I guess.
Don't be shy, post some pics

7th January 2009, 01:23 AM	#1
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Historic military Telescopes: Early 19thC Dollond I know this isn't a weapon, but these certainly were instrumental in influencing many battles, so I thought they might make an interesting aside. I want to share with you all a piece from my collection. A rare vintage pocket telescope from the beginning of the 19thC made by the most famous of makers 'Dollond'. Military personel now take for granted their incredibly complex optical devices, night vision, thermal imaging, the list is endless. but here is where 'mass produced' long range optical devices really came of age. Dollond is credited with retailing the first telescopes which did not suffer from Chromatic aberration (he is actually credited with solving the problem but in fact followed from anothers work). His 'day and night' telescopes were common military and naval equipment. Nelson used one in fact. The military significance of Dollond telescopes cannot be overstated. So, here is my little telescope, small enough to fit in a tunic pocket, and yet still powerful and clear. closed it is about 5 inches long. The 3 'drawers' are brass, with the main outer barrel being carved from wood. This type is routinely dated to 1780-1820 on websites. This type is sometimes refered to as 'army' type due to it being popular with officers of the time. Imagine the sights it could have seen! Last edited by Atlantia; 7th January 2009 at 01:55 AM.

8th January 2009, 05:42 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,288	Is Spencer Browning a recognised London Maker ? I have an 'improved' single draw ship's model engraved with the maker name in the style of yours . Last edited by Rick; 8th January 2009 at 05:56 PM.

8th January 2009, 06:43 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,288	Battered Here you go . Been in the family forever . Dad recovered the barrel and added turks heads . Attached Images

8th January 2009, 07:01 PM	#6
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Well Rick! Thats an impressive device! I'm sure Mr Eley willl be more or an expert on it than I, but I'll certainly give an opinion! Your Dads recovering isn't a problem, the leather looks fine, and the turks heads add to the nautical look. Apart from that it looks pretty original. So, does it work? Do you get a good clear image? It should be fairly simple to take apart and carefully clean if its a bit grubby inside. Date! Well, its a fairly complex instrument, with a leather covered brass outer barrel, the makers name looks hand engraved and is in nice script, so I'd guess at about 1840-60. Its a fine piece, very expensive in its day. And its day was a golden age! Regards Gene P.S. I really rate these early telescopes. I'm assuming yours IS nautical, and of course that was the most common use for them. Forget the Naval warships, and Just think of the other ships of the mid 19th that would have had one of these onboard (or two!) The Clippers racing across the oceans, the other trade ships, the explorers, the passenger carriers, the steamers, the river boats, every one needed a good telescope, and every time (almost) something worthy of note happened or was seen or discovered, it was seen first through the Telescope. I always think of Nelson holding the telescope to his blind eye! lol These instruments are an incredibly important part of world history. Phew, enthusiasm off Last edited by Atlantia; 8th January 2009 at 07:14 PM.

8th January 2009, 11:30 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,087	Nice piece! As a collector of nautical/maritime/privateer pieces, I find these early telescopes fascinating. The earliest ones were just long, wooden hexigonal tubes of one piece construction. AS you pointed out, Dolland was one of the most famous (and prolific) of makers. The sailors used to call these the 'bring 'em near' for obvious reasons. Thanks for sharing this piece!