Description

An unusual and fine 5 (five) draw, 4 element, mahogany barrelled refracting telescope on reversible folding tripod base with clamp to the 4th draw.

Found in its original mahogany case with all hardware intact, this scope has seen little use. Retaining 99% of it’s golden lacquer, the optics are superb. 2 1/2 inch OG doublet with lovely green glass, the telescope extends to a full yard (36 inches). The draws are very tight (so much so that the 5th draw was not polished-workshop oversight?). The mahogany barrel is near perfect with one slight scratch. No cracks and all screws intact (never touched). The folding tripod inverts for storage (at one time it was cross threaded and some pratt tried to free it by flexing the base plate resulting in small bruises). The double semi-circular clamp is hinged and secured with a knurled and threaded steel screw. The stem rotates and inclines on a three part joint. There is no play in any of the parts whatsoever. Rarely used. Signed in small block letters “CARY, LONDON”. The lid of the case has a couple of old cracks-repaired. The case measures 11 x 6 x 3 inches (28 x 15 x 7.5 cm). Both eared C-hooks and lock intact. c. 1800. Hand held or desk mounted.

William Cary (1759-1825).