This is a Royal Navy Telescope manufactured by the Heath Company, Ltd., of Crayford London, England. Heath and Company was a London based optical instrument manufacturer. The company was founded in 1845 by George Heath. In 1863 his son, George Wilson Heath, apprenticed with the company. They owned tow factories, one located in New Eltham and the other in Crayford, to meet the companies growing requirements. In 1882 the firm was reconstituted as a limited liability company. In 1937 the company was incorporated with the W.F Stanley and Company Ltd and was listed as scientific instrument manufacturers. This telescope measures 18 1/4" when closed and 24 1/4" when extended. The body of the telescope is covered in black leather and comes with a black leather lense cap. The stitching on the leather cover is completely missing, while the stitching on the lense cap is about half broken. The optics of the telescope are still good, but the sliding shutter on the eyepiece will not lock in the closed position. The draw is stamped in four lines, HEATH & Co. Ltd./Makers to the Royal Navy/CRAYFORD LONDON/4856. The objective lense housing is engraved Captain H Pratt. I believe this telescope was manufactured around the turn of the 20th century, but have not been able to find any information on Captain Pratt. This will be a perfect addition to your British Royal Navy collection!

Item # AA2783

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