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ID #SA1245412
FOR SALE
£1,295
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Antique 3 Draw Ww1 Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Spotting Scope, Broad Arrow
For sale by London Fine Antiques
for sale €1,515     $1,645
£1,295
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2010
Browse dealers 946 items
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Antique 3 Draw Ww1 Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Spotting Scope, Broad Arrow

1900 - 1920
Description

This is an antique three draw telescope. An English, leather and brass terrestrial or spotting scope with military Broad Arrow mark, dating to the World War I period, dated 1915.

Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky.

Superb Great War period example with appealing finish and form

Displays a desirable aged patina and in good original order

Quality leather dressing to the primary barrel, objective cap and eye cup covers

Barrels crafted in attractive brass with bright golden tonality

Supplied with an oak and brass Captain's Stand for display purposes

Reassuring weight in the hand at 1.744kg (3.84 lb), typical of robust military specification

Draws in a positive, smooth action to a fully drawn length of 3 feet (91.5cm)

When closed, the dust cups attach to the primary barrel with leather straps and buckles

Flared eye-cup also features an internal sliding dust cover for lens protection

A bright and generously sized 50mm primary objective offers a quality terrestrial optic

Used in the field for communication and signal codes, the three draws aided focusing

A year after this example was entered into service, they were used to spot concealed sniper posts

Engraved with the Military Broad Arrow mark, an order requested of R & J Beck of London

A prominent British optical manufacturing firm based in London, heavily contracted by the War Department

Military designation given below the arrow mark adds fascinating detail

It reads 'TEL. SIG. (MK IV) ALSO G.S.' standing for Telescope, Signaling, Mark IV, Also General Service

Its completion date is given as 1915, the second year of the war and 2262 was its production serial number

This is a delightful World War I period antique three draw telescope, offering a fascinating insight into military optical equipment whilst retaining its functionality and gently aged appearance. Delivered ready to enjoy or display.

Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated this Antique Brass Terrestrial Telescope to the 1910s.

Physical Dimensions
Height
5.5cm (2.17")
Width
5.5cm (2.17")
Depth
28cm (11.02")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1245412
Dealers Internal Reference
26403
Dealers Notes

What our clients have to say: https://www.londonfine.co.uk/pages/reviews

Description
This is an antique three draw telescope.
“
An English, leather and brass terrestrial or spotting scope with military Broad Arrow mark, dating to the World War I period, dated 1915.
London Fine Antiques

Perfect for bird watching, landscape appreciation, wildlife, or maritime observation. Equally suitable for observing the night sky.

fig 1. An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps.
fig 1. Antique 3 Draw Ww1 Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Spotting Scope, Broad Arrow

Superb Great War period example with appealing finish and form

Displays a desirable aged patina and in good original order

Quality leather dressing to the primary barrel, objective cap and eye cup covers

fig 2. An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps.
fig 2. Antique 3 Draw Ww1 Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Spotting Scope, Broad Arrow

Barrels crafted in attractive brass with bright golden tonality

Supplied with an oak and brass Captain's Stand for display purposes

Reassuring weight in the hand at 1.744kg (3.84 lb), typical of robust military specification

fig 3. An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps.
fig 3. Antique 3 Draw Ww1 Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Spotting Scope, Broad Arrow

Draws in a positive, smooth action to a fully drawn length of 3 feet (91.5cm)

When closed, the dust cups attach to the primary barrel with leather straps and buckles

Flared eye-cup also features an internal sliding dust cover for lens protection

fig 4. An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps.
fig 4. Antique 3 Draw Ww1 Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Spotting Scope, Broad Arrow

A bright and generously sized 50mm primary objective offers a quality terrestrial optic

Used in the field for communication and signal codes, the three draws aided focusing

A year after this example was entered into service, they were used to spot concealed sniper posts

fig 5. An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps.
fig 5. Antique 3 Draw Ww1 Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Spotting Scope, Broad Arrow

Engraved with the Military Broad Arrow mark, an order requested of R & J Beck of London

A prominent British optical manufacturing firm based in London, heavily contracted by the War Department

Military designation given below the arrow mark adds fascinating detail

fig 6. An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps.
fig 6. Antique 3 Draw Ww1 Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Spotting Scope, Broad Arrow

It reads 'TEL. SIG. (MK IV) ALSO G.S.' standing for Telescope, Signaling, Mark IV, Also General Service

Its completion date is given as 1915, the second year of the war and 2262 was its production serial number

fig 7. An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps.
fig 7. Antique 3 Draw Ww1 Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Spotting Scope, Broad Arrow

This is a delightful World War I period antique three draw telescope, offering a fascinating insight into military optical equipment whilst retaining its functionality and gently aged appearance. Delivered ready to enjoy or display.

Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated this Antique Brass Terrestrial Telescope to the 1910s.

Height
5.5cm (2.17")
Width
5.5cm (2.17")
Depth
28cm (11.02")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1245412
Dealers Internal Ref
26403
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2010

Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the London Fine Antiques Profile Page

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An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps.
1 / 12
Archive I An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps.

Antique 3 Draw Ww1 Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Spotting Scope, Broad Arrow

Archive II An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps. View II
Archive III An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps. View III
Archive IV An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps. View IV
Archive V An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps. View V
Archive VI An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps. View VI
Archive VII An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps. View VII
Archive VIII An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps. View VIII
Archive IX An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps. View IX
Archive X An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps. View X
Archive XI An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps. View XI
Archive XII An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps. View XII
Enlarged Archival View
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques
Telephone 0207 1833511
Location
The Antique Village
Hele
Exeter
Devon
EX5 4PW
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
Items For Sale 946
Items Sold 5,668
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Antique Village, Hele, Exeter, Devon , EX5 4PW, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/londonfineantiques
Verified
Oct 2010
For Sale
946
Sold
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An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps.
Antique 3 Draw WW1 Telescope, English, Terrestrial, Spotting Scope, Broad Arrow
Ref: SA1245412
An antique brass three-draw terrestrial telescope wrapped in tan leather, resting on a wooden display stand alongside matching leather end caps.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectTelescopes & Optics
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleEdwardian Military
  • MaterialBrass, Leather, Glass, Oak
  • ColourWarm Brown, Brass
  • MotifsThree-draw brass tubes, Stitched leather sleeve, Protective end caps, Engraved broad arrow mark
  • SizeH 5.5 cm (2 in) x W 5.5 cm (2 in) x D 28 cm (11 in)

This is an antique three-draw terrestrial telescope dating to the Edwardian military period of 1910. The instrument combines brass and glass elements with a stitched tan leather sleeve on the primary barrel, complemented by protective end caps and an oak display stand. The warm brown leather and bright golden brass tonality display an aged patina with visible surface wear. The closed telescope measures 28 cm deep, 5.5 cm wide, and 5.5 cm high, extending to a fully drawn length of 91.5 cm. Suitable for placement in a gentleman's library or office desk, the telescope functions as a decorative display piece and a spotting scope. The design includes brass tubes, leather straps with buckles, and engraved military markings. Two matching leather dust caps rest beside the main barrel on the wooden stand.

FAQs

A three-draw terrestrial telescope is a multi-section optical instrument designed for land or sea observation, featuring concentric brass tubes that extend to adjust focal distance and collapse for compact transport. Commonly utilised by military officers and mariners in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, these scopes incorporate erecting lenses to present an upright image.

Early military spotting scopes were primarily constructed from solid brass for the draw tubes and internal threading, offering durability and resistance to corrosion. The main barrel was frequently covered in stitched leather or wood to provide a secure grip and insulate the metal against temperature extremes.

Authentic British military telescopes from this period typically feature maker marks, year of manufacture, and military broad arrow inspection stamps engraved into the brass draw tube near the eyepiece. Look for heavy-gauge brass construction, hand-stitched leather cladding, and optical alignment without modern anti-reflective coatings.

An antique brass telescope functions as an intriguing focal point on a dark wood office desk, a library bookshelf, or a deep window sill. Placing the instrument alongside leather-bound books or framed architectural prints enhances a classic, scholarly aesthetic within study or living spaces.

Dust the brass tubes with a clean, dry microfibre cloth and avoid aggressive chemical polishes that strip historical patina. The leather sleeve should be conditioned sparingly with a neutral leather balm to prevent drying or cracking, while glass elements should be gently cleaned with an optical lens brush.
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