Naval Telescope

[Tascosa Joe]

I recently read "Valor Across the Lone Star" by Charles M. Neal Jr.  Several of the Chapters refered to the use of "Naval Telescopes" being used by the Cavalry patrols looking for Indians. Were these modern binoculars or the old single barrel scope you see in the movies?  Does anyone have references to these items?

Thanks,

[Books OToole]

I recently read "Valor Across the Lone Star" by Charles M. Neal Jr.  Several of the Chapters refered to the use of "Naval Telescopes" being used by the Cavalry patrols looking for Indians. Were these modern binoculars or the old single barrel scope you see in the movies?  Does anyone have references to these items?

Thanks,

They are propably multi-pull telescopes.  They would be much more powerfull than field-glasses.
I'm not sure when field-glassess come in to common use.  Certainly by the Civil War.

Books

[Hedley Lamarr]

http://www.nmmprints.com/image.php?id=398500

[Tascosa Joe]

Thanks for the link

[St. George]

High-quality Naval telescopes have a long history, and by the Civil War, a 'good' telescope was easier to come by than an equally 'good' pair of binoculars - but imports would change that as they expanded to fill wartime needs.

Optics came to these shores from German and French manufacturers and when cleaned carefully, they're pretty clear.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Curley Cole]

This here is Curley Cole's telescope. I found a really cool round case to hold it at Dixie Gun Works. (I actually found the scope on sale at a Big 5 store) I will put a strap on the case and wear it slung over my shoulder....

curley