56,484  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY 195  ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAY NEW ARRIVALS
ID #SA808789
SOLD
Email
Save
Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, Nsl, Victorian
London Fine Antiques
sold SA808789
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
London Fine Antiques

London Fine Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealers Stock Page
  • About Us
    Fine antiques curated in england and sold worldwide
Id #SA808789
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, Nsl, Victorian

19th century
Description

This is an antique terrestrial telescope. An English, single drawer refractor with National Service League mark, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880.

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

Beautifully presented, large diameter telescope in very good order

Brass primary barrel, sunshade and draw tube show light signs of tarnish

Primary barrel enhanced with leather-bound cover in light caramel hues

Clear, bright objective of impressive proportion at 45mm in diameter(1.75")

Sliding brass sunshade protects the front element from errant rays

Further protection offered by sliding dust caps for the front objective and flared eyecup

Fully drawn to over 1m in length, the single draw tube is engraved 'NSL D 519'

Supplied with a London Fine oak and brass 'Captain's Stand' for display

During the First World War, Lord and Lady Roberts established a loan scheme for private individuals to lend telescopes, binoculars and field glass to help the war effort. Under the name National Service League, each item was given the initials NSL and a serial number, with the intention to return each surviving item to the lender at the end of the war. This telescope is such an example, proving its inherent fortitude by being several decades old at the time it was called into service.

This is an antique terrestrial telescope with rich colour and storied history, linked to the WWI war effort by way of its National Service League number. Sure to appeal to collectors of military or historical interest, or those seeking a fine antique telescope that's as good today as it was over 100 years ago. Delivered polished and ready to enjoy or display.

Dimensions:

Closed Length: 66cm (26'')

Fully Drawn Length: 109cm (43'')

Objective Glass Diameter: 45mm (1.75'')

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all of our antiques.

We ship worldwide with professional packing and attractive rates – please send us your post / zip code and country for a quote.

Free delivery to most of the U.K. – Please send us your post code for confirmation.

Deliveries taking on average ten working days to arrive at your door from receipt of payment.

Please contact us if you require any further information - we are here to help.

Our Ref: 18.7486

Physical Dimensions
Height
1cm (0.39")
Width
1cm (0.39")
Depth
109cm (42.91")
Declaration

London Fine Antiques has dated this piece to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA808789
Dealers Internal Reference
18.7486
Dealers Notes

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

Description
This is an antique terrestrial telescope.
An English, single drawer refractor with National Service League mark, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880.
London Fine Antiques

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

fig 1. Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian
fig 1. Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, Nsl, Victorian

Beautifully presented, large diameter telescope in very good order

Brass primary barrel, sunshade and draw tube show light signs of tarnish

Primary barrel enhanced with leather-bound cover in light caramel hues

fig 2. Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian
fig 2. Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, Nsl, Victorian

Clear, bright objective of impressive proportion at 45mm in diameter(1.75")

Sliding brass sunshade protects the front element from errant rays

Further protection offered by sliding dust caps for the front objective and flared eyecup

fig 3. Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian
fig 3. Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, Nsl, Victorian

Fully drawn to over 1m in length, the single draw tube is engraved 'NSL D 519'

Supplied with a London Fine oak and brass 'Captain's Stand' for display

During the First World War, Lord and Lady Roberts established a loan scheme for private individuals to lend telescopes, binoculars and field glass to help the war effort. Under the name National Service League, each item was given the initials NSL and a serial number, with the intention to return each surviving item to the lender at the end of the war. This telescope is such an example, proving its inherent fortitude by being several decades old at the time it was called into service.

fig 4. Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian
fig 4. Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, Nsl, Victorian

This is an antique terrestrial telescope with rich colour and storied history, linked to the WWI war effort by way of its National Service League number. Sure to appeal to collectors of military or historical interest, or those seeking a fine antique telescope that's as good today as it was over 100 years ago. Delivered polished and ready to enjoy or display.

fig 5. Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian
fig 5. Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, Nsl, Victorian

Dimensions:

Closed Length: 66cm (26'')

Fully Drawn Length: 109cm (43'')

Objective Glass Diameter: 45mm (1.75'')

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee with all of our antiques.

We ship worldwide with professional packing and attractive rates – please send us your post / zip code and country for a quote.

fig 6. Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian
fig 6. Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, Nsl, Victorian

Free delivery to most of the U.K. – Please send us your post code for confirmation.

Deliveries taking on average ten working days to arrive at your door from receipt of payment.

Please contact us if you require any further information - we are here to help.

Our Ref: 18.7486

Height
1cm (0.39")
Width
1cm (0.39")
Depth
109cm (42.91")
Date of Manufacture

London Fine Antiques has dated this piece to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA808789
Dealers Internal Ref
18.7486
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

PDF SHARE
SAVE
Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian
1 / 12
Archive I Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian

Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, Nsl, Victorian

Archive II Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian View II
Archive III Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian View III
Archive IV Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian View IV
Archive V Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian View V
Archive VI Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian View VI
Archive VII Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian View VII
Archive VIII Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian View VIII
Archive IX Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian View IX
Archive X Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian View X
Archive XI Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian View XI
Archive XII Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian View XII
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 0207 1833511
Location
The Antique Village
Hele
Exeter
Devon
EX5 4PW
United Kingdom
Verified Since Oct 2010
Items For Sale 948
Items Sold 5,604
London Fine Antiques
London Fine Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: The Antique Village, Hele, Exeter, Devon , EX5 4PW, United Kingdom
Verified
Oct 2010
For Sale
948
Sold
5,604
Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian
Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian
Ref: SA808789
Antique Terrestrial Telescope, English, Single Draw Refractor, NSL, Victorian
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Detail View 10
Detail View 11
Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Movements
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Freshness
Online Payments
Categories