OLD SHEFFIELD SILVER DELUXE THREE DRAW TELESCOPE English, c.1820 Unsigned Early 19th century telescopes are becoming increasingly difficult to find in good original condition, and Sheffield Silver scopes are exceedingly rare. PRICE: $775.00 plus shipping to 48 contiguous States, $20.00.   Presented is a very high quality, British three draw Old Sheffield Silver telescope in exceptionally fine condition with no further information known. The color of the leather vaires due to the lighting and is close to that seen in the picture shown with the front dust cap. It's construction throughout is of heavy silver over copper showing through resulting from use, and in which the seams can be seen with the naked eye. This indicates the copper was sandwiched between a sheet of silver on the top and bottom and fused together. This type of Sheffield plating was used from the late 1700's until 1840 when it was superseded by electroplating, a less desirable coating. DIMENSIONS: It measures 10" closed and 29 3/4” extended. The objective lens is 38 mm diameter. Weighs 1 lb 8 3/4 oz CONDITION is fine and functional throughout, noting the silver being worn in places to show the copper, giving a lovely rich contrast to the instrument, and indicates this to be in its original, untouched condition. There are no dents or chips to the lenses and everything is first rate on this finely made antique scope. MARKINGS: None OLD SHEFFIELD PLATE HISTORY: Sheffield plating was invented around 1740, where a sheet of silver is fused to a thicker one of copper, and the laminate then rolled to even it out. In 1782 J.L. Martin, patterned a process of drawing silver-plated copper telescope tubes directly by machine. This all became obsolete in the mid-19th century, with the advent of electroplating. Like this example, much of the plate sliver made in Sheffield did not bear a maker's mark. Since the items were not sterling they did not need any silver marks. However, sometimes the pieces were stamped with maker's initials, but not here. If a piece is stamped with the words "Sheffield Plated" then it is not old Sheffield Plate, but rather later electroplated silver. References: OLD SHEFFIELD PLATE by Anneke Bamberry, Shire Publications, Ltd, England, 2000, Copyright 1988 by author. History of old Sheffield plate: being an account of the origin, ... - Google This is a fine example of a genuine antique telescope which was made prior to 1840 when electroplating of silver was introduced in Sheffield, England. INSURED SHIPPING to 48 contiguous States $20.00. OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned within five days of receipt in its original packaging if without damage. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization from us for the return is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer within the continental United States if an error is due to our fault. International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean. Copyright 2012 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved