Civil War Officer’s Single Draw Field Telescope 

Description

Civil War Officer’s Single Draw Field Telescope 

A definitive Civil War period single-draw officer’s field telescope, constructed of brass and retaining a rich, untouched patina throughout. The tube is encased in its original hand-applied woven cotton protective sleeve, executed in a macramé-style wrap— seen on higher-quality personal instruments to improve grip and protect the brass body during active service. 

Both the objective and eyepiece ends retain their original sliding brass dust covers, fully intact and functional—an increasingly rare feature, as these delicate components are almost always lost. The telescope extends properly to a single draw, revealing a clean brass inner tube, and the optics remain sharp and highly usable, producing a clear, bright image. 

Telescopes of this type were privately purchased and carried by officers for battlefield observation, artillery spotting, and reconnaissance. The presence of the woven sleeve strongly suggests prolonged field use, likely by an officer who relied on the instrument in active campaign conditions. 

Inventory Number: MIS 366