Offered for sale is an original World War I era brass telescope by J.H. Dallmeyer of London, clearly engraved:

“J.H. Dallmeyer London – 1917 – No. ?3875”

This is an authentic First World War period single-draw brass telescope, likely produced for military, naval, or field observation use during wartime.

The telescope features:

• Brass 3-draw-tube construction
• Original dark leather-covered main barrel
• Engraved maker’s mark and date (1917)
• Serial number: ?3875 (see Note below)
• Original knurled eyepiece assembly
• Period leather outer overing
• Extertable sunshade
• Objective lens diameter: 55 mm
• Length (closed): 290 mm
• Length (fully extended): 885 mm
• Weight: 1.68 kg

The engraving is crisp and legible, and the date makes this a historically important example from the height of WWI production.

Condition:

• Honest age-related wear and patina to brass
• Leather shows surface wear consistent with age
• Draw tube extends and retracts correctly
• Optics are present with no chips or major damage observed. There are minor surface marks to the front lens, which are barely noticeable and do not affect performance. The lenses are clean overall and produce a clear image.
• No major dents or structural damage observed. All draw tubes slide smoothly.

Note: A serial number is engraved beneath the year 1917. The number is partially worn, but it appears to read No.?3875 (as shown in the last picture).

This is a genuine antique instrument over 100 years old and not a modern reproduction.