Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Accoutrements => Topic started by: Fort Greene Ville on June 07, 2009, 09:42:38 AM

Title: spy glass and/or telescope
Post by: Fort Greene Ville on June 07, 2009, 09:42:38 AM

Anyone have or for that matter looked for information regarding the history of the slide handheld telescope?

I know it seems boats-men, military, and possibly surveyors would have used such an item. I myself have just not thought to look at the historic references in this regard.

I was considering one for hunting whilst in my PC attire.

What do you think?

FGV

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Post by: hawkeye on June 07, 2009, 08:19:58 PM

I carry a small brass telescope in my haversack when in 'uniform'. It has come in handy on occasion.  I don't know the historic providence of carrying a glass though other than sailors, officers or surveyors that you mentioned.

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Post by: Sir Michael on June 08, 2009, 11:47:34 AM

In his journal for the 1825/6 expedition, Peter Ogden includes this reference.

Quote

With the glass we could observe Blackfeet scattered about the hills watching our motions.

From this I would conclude that they were in the mountains and some folks were using them.  I think it would depend a great deal on where you are, the type of terrain, and the density of the vegetation.

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Post by: Kermit on June 08, 2009, 06:58:21 PM

I, too, have a small brass 'scope that rides in my haversack. Never gave much thought to PC-ness though. It's about 7" collapsed and about a foot extended. It focuses by push/pull and is about 2 or 3 power with a tiny field of view. Handy, nevertheless. It often gets employed as a "spotting scope" at the range. Just a fair long-looker in the field. A sorry substitute for modern optics. I have another larger brass 'scope that rides in my seachest. Not doing much traditional sailing anymore though.

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Post by: No Rod on June 09, 2009, 07:47:18 PM

OK so you piqued my interest and now I'm looking for a source for a spy glass. Well?

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Post by: Bigsmoke on June 09, 2009, 07:56:36 PM

Back after Haley's Comet invaded our night skies, some outfit had a bunch of these little brass telescopes in wooden cases made up.  After the excitement was over, and I got a bunch of them on a closeout special.  I think I bought them by the case for $5.00 a piece.  I took a couple of cases to Friendship that year and sold them all at a pretty good profit but still at a reasonable price.  The only thing was, they had Haley's Comet engraved on the side with a comet logo.  Wrap a piece of light leather around it and so what?  Wish I still had some of those left.
Where to get them now I am not sure, but I would try Track or Townsend first off.  Not sure if G Gedney Godwin carries that sort of stuff or not, but they would be worth a try as well.

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Post by: Sir Michael on June 09, 2009, 09:35:18 PM

Check this place out.

http://www.stanleylondon.com/sextopti.htm

Townsend also has one.

http://jas-townsend.com/product_info.php?products_id=1038&osCsid=4715a9e02e63c1b289bedcf716515328

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Post by: hawkeye on June 09, 2009, 09:43:32 PM

Quote from: "Sir Michael"

Check this place out.

http://www.stanleylondon.com/sextopti.htm

That's where I got mine from.

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Post by: nobber on June 09, 2009, 10:55:13 PM

I have a 4 inch and a 1.5 inch burning lens and I have a triangular piece of leather I make my own telescope out of. works pretty slick and the lens have dual purpose as burning lens.


Eric Davis

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Post by: Fort Greene Ville on June 10, 2009, 07:12:34 AM

Nobbler
I considered something along that line. Like the one in the Kevin Costner's Robin Hood. Can you post any pictures of what you've made?

Sir Michael,
That is the sight I book marked as well. Only thing with theirs is they coat the brass to never tarnish. A patina version would be great.

I'm sure one could find a nice buy with a careful eye in a flea market or two  
FGV

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Post by: Sir Michael on June 10, 2009, 07:07:21 PM

Quote from: "Fort Greene Ville"

Sir Michael, ... Only thing with theirs is they coat the brass to never tarnish. A patina version would be great.

If you want to remove the lacquer all you need to do is get a bottle of Ammonia and a bag of cotton balls and start cleaning. It won't take you long to get all of the lacquer off and it will start tarnishing almost immediately. :hey-hey  :hey-hey  :toast  :rt th

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Post by: Three Hawks on June 10, 2009, 07:57:59 PM

Keep in mind, no matter what sort of spy-glass you get that anything over about 8-10 power is difficult to use when hand held as the image jumps frantically due to the unsteady human hand.  Telescopes are particularly difficult to hold steady.

Three Hawks

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Post by: No Rod on June 10, 2009, 09:07:11 PM

thanks guys. I'm going to pick one up before hunting season.

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Post by: Sean on June 11, 2009, 07:50:01 AM

Quote from: "hawkeye"

Quote from: "Sir Michael"

Check this place out.

http://www.stanleylondon.com/sextopti.htm

That's where I got mine from.

David,

Which one do you have and how would you rate the quality of it optically compared to say a cheap pair of Bushnell glasses?  Some of the ones they make are somewhat modern and others not so.  Been thinking about ordering one of their 12 power spy glasses and I'd be interested in hearing a report on them.

Thanks,

Sean

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Post by: hawkeye on June 11, 2009, 02:14:05 PM

I have this one:

(http://www.stanleylondon.com/telesml3.jpg)

http://www.stanleylondon.com/tele9-5.htm (http://www.stanleylondon.com/tele9-5.htm)

It has a narrow field of view and the sharpness is OK but not stellar. In other words, very period correct.

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Post by: Sean on June 12, 2009, 01:18:32 AM

Thanks, David.  I've been thinking about that 16" glass.  Seems like it'd be a good thing for mulies and antelope.  

Sean

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Post by: Uncle Russ on June 12, 2009, 01:37:41 AM

My Glass is nowhere near as nice as David's....Take everything he said about sharpness, and add hard to really "fine tune"  to get a clear picture, then multiply that by 3 and you will get an idea of what the one I own is like....

It's made by Taso and cost about $45 so ya can't expect a whole lot.....albeit, it has worked just fine the few times I've actually had the time, and opportunity, to use it when hunting.

BTW: These are some really old pictures....my first digital camera six or eight years ago.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v143/RussB256/Glassclosed.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v143/RussB256/GlassOpen.jpg)

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Post by: Minnesota Mike on June 19, 2009, 02:17:52 PM

I believe I got mine from Sportsmans Guide. It's not full brass, but on the other hand it is a 25x power and those little brass ones are only about 5 or 8x.

It looks just like the one above with the leather sheath around the outside of the externalmost slide section.

r/
MM

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Post by: Kermit on June 27, 2009, 10:33:40 AM

Mine is similar to that little one from Stanley, but not exactly the same. For 38 bucks, I may upgrade! Those larger ones are still pretty compact when "folded," but consider weight too. As to optical quality, I agree--the cheaper ones are pretty PC-poor.

My seachest 'scope is the 18-incher. You might want to note that the larger ones have a sunshade built-in. That's handy on these things. I noted that if you spring for the huge one you can get it with "patina." Too bad that's not an option on their other ones.

Anyone know when binoculars came along? The Stanley brass/leather in-line prism ones look like they just might be a bit better for modern eyes. But PC?

I still like my little one for size/weight though.

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Post by: Sean on June 27, 2009, 08:51:29 PM

Kermit,

I'm sure they were around earlier in places like Europe, but the earliest that I've seen records of binos in the West is the Indian War era.

If I'm not mistaken some of those bigger Stanley spy glasses actually display images upside down like the original glasses.  I've not used one and would like to hear from someone who has.

Sean

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Post by: Kermit on June 29, 2009, 01:23:34 PM

Here's a little bag-sized scope from Godwins:

http://www.gggodwin.com/CartGenie/prod-290.htm (http://www.gggodwin.com/CartGenie/prod-290.htm)