1920 DOLLOND London Brass Maritime Vintage Telescope, Nautical Spyglass Antique Mounted Solid Brass 15 Inch Pirate Telescope with Wooden Box.

Product Information

The telescope body is of the tapered barrel type, covered in stitched brown leather which is in good condition with all stitching intact, along with protective leather end caps, plus a shoulder carry strap and appears not to have had a great deal of use, retaining much of its non reflective coating on the 3 brass draw tubes. The dent free single draw tube still has a firm draw action, and the eyepiece is protected by an internal swivel dust cover.

It also comes with its original separate hard leather case which is also in great condition as can be seen from the photos, with all stitching intact, and a sturdy shoulder strap. A very desirable antique naval telescope by one of the most renowned instrument makers of the 19th century. PriceThe draw tube is anodised brass, as are the fitting including the sliding rayshade, and has a smooth draw action, the eyepiece also has an internal swivel dust cover incorporating a coloured sun filter. The main barrel is covered in its original dark brown leather stitched cladding, which is also in very good condition with no scuffing, and unbroken stitching including the strap cleat that would have retained the leather end cap which is no longer present.

Known as somewhat of a character in Southampton local history, James Joseph Wolff was a maker of bronze cannons, blades and marine instruments during the 19th century.

Looking good

Where the Dollond scores comes later: it just feels right in the hands and is easy to use. This one has the brass barrel covered in pseudo leather – which is probably real…. It measures 20.25" (515mm) closed, 38" (965mm) fully extended with sliding ray shade, there is also an internal swivel dust cover on the eyepiece. Engraved 'BRITEX SPOTTER' on the draw tube, it was manufactured by W. Ottway who reproduced this design under different names including the 'Orion Spotter' & the 'Headquarter & General telescope', mainly on a wholesale basis which is why the Ottway name is not on the scope.