Ross London Cased Leather and Aluminium Two-Draw Telescope, No. 71654

Ross London Two-Draw Telescope with Leather Case, No. 71654

With Exceptional Scottish Provenance: Monogrammed "G.C-S" (Captain George Campbell-Swinton)

A cased antique pocket and field telescope bearing the maker’s name and serial number ‘Ross, London, No. 71654’. The stitched black leather-clad grey metal body features an adjustable front sunshade and smooth two-draw tube mechanics, and comes with its matching original monogrammed brown leather carrying case.

The compact profile, matte grey finish, and undamaged stitched leather make it an attractive display piece for a study, desk, or collection of historic scientific and military instruments. The internal optics are hazy, and the set is presented as a premier display or restoration project.

Historical Provenance & Maker’s Mark

• The Maker's Mark: The eyepiece tube bears clear, crisp engraved lettering reading ‘Ross, London, No. 71654’.
• The Material & Era: The low 70,000s serial number sequence and lightweight build place its manufacture precisely between 1908 and 1910. Rather than standard heavy brass, it features a cutting-edge, ultra-lightweight aluminium body—a highly exotic and expensive luxury material at the dawn of the Edwardian era.
• The Matching Monograms ("G.C-S"): Crucially, the telescope features a matching dual monogram. The structured brown leather carrying case is stamped with the historical personal initials ‘G.C.S’, and the exact same monogram is stamped onto the telescope body itself (rendered with the clear hyphen/stop style characteristic of double-barrelled surnames).
• The Owner Connection: Sourced directly from a Scottish auction house, this specific timeline, premium aluminium material, Scottish field context, and identical dual monogramming point directly to Captain George Sitwell Campbell-Swinton (1859–1937). He was a distinguished Scottish gentry figure (of Kimmerghame House, Berwickshire), a British Army Officer (Highland Light Infantry), Aide-de-Camp to the Viceroy of India, Chairman of the London County Council, and a prestigious royal herald (March Pursuivant).
• The Family Legacy: Captain Campbell-Swinton and his wife Elizabeth were famously immortalised in portraits by the legendary society painter John Singer Sargent. They are also the great-grandparents of the Oscar-winning British actress Tilda Swinton
  
  This telescope was a true Edwardian status symbol, custom-marked for an officer surveying the wild hills of the Scottish borders.

Specifications

• Recorded maker: Ross, London
• Type: Terrestrial pocket two-draw field telescope (stalking glass)
• Body: Lightweight aluminium alloy with a hand-stitched black leather cladding on the main barrel section for thermal insulation and grip
• Case: Structured brown leather cylindrical travel case with shoulder sling strap
• Markings: ‘Ross, London, No. 71654’ on the eyepiece tube; ‘G.C.S’ stamped on the case and telescope.
• Telescope dimensions (closed): Approximately 262mm (10.3 inches) long
• Telescope dimensions (fully extended): Approximately 463mm (18.25 inches) with sunshade deployed
• Main barrel diameter: 42mm (1.65 inches)
• Case dimensions: Approximately 285mm (11.25 inches) length × 60mm (2.36 inches) outside diameter
• Telescope weight: Extremely lightweight at approximately 367g (13 oz) due to its aluminium construction
• Case weight: Approximately 300g (10.5 oz)

Condition & Completeness

• Good pre-owned display condition with authentic surface wear from historical use and handling.
• The stitched black leather cladding on the main telescope body and the brown travel case leather are recorded as in good condition with no structural splits, tears, or unravelled seams.
• Mechanically, the grey metallic aluminium draw tubes slide smoothly with firm, correct friction, and the internal threaded metal collar rings remain perfectly intact. 
• Optics Notice: The internal optics are currently hazy/out of focus, and the image is blurred due to natural internal atmospheric film build-up over the last century. It requires a straightforward internal cleaning by an optical specialist to restore crystal clarity. The telescope is sold as-is for decorative display, as a historical prop, or as a servicing/restoration project.
• Please review all high-resolution photographs carefully as they form part of the condition description. The telescope and case pictured are the exact items you will receive.

What’s Included

• One black leather-clad grey aluminium telescope bearing the Ross London maker's mark and serial number, with the original monogrammed brown leather travel case and shoulder strap shown.

Packaging & Shipping

• The telescope and case will be carefully protected with bubble wrap and securely boxed, then sent via tracked, insured postage with a signature required on delivery.