Original Item: Only One Available. From the wonderful Telescope Collection we purchased last year in England, this is a Classic Officer’s private purchase, top of the line three draw trench telescope, complete with a framed period photograph of the owner. It is marked on the smallest barrel by the eyepiece with the maker and model information:
BROADHURST. CLARKSON & Co.
63. FARRINGDON ROAD
LONDON. E. C.
There is no official military pattern noted, so this was most likely a private purchase item, as officer’s were often required to purchase their own equipment. The smallest barrel is also marked with the owners name and regiment:
CAPT. Wm.A.K.FRASER.
16-L
We know Captain William A.K. Fraser was in the 16th Lancers, and saw service at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in 1915 and at the Battle of Arras in 1917 in WWI.
The telescope extends to 32″ including forward moving sun shade when fully opened and reduces to just 10 1/2″ when fully collapsed. The lens still provide a good image, and the eyepiece lens shield is still intact and functional. The small framed photograph of Captain Fraser which came with the telescope from the family show a young uniformed Officer mounted on his horse. The photograph measures just 3 1/2″ by 2 1/2″.
All in all in very good condition, the brass having sustained a few minor dents most probably from years and years of cleaning while being on display in Captain Fraser’s home. Ready to display again, both telescope and photograph.