Ross London Telescope Serial Number

[Dave1973]

 

Hi can anyone help me trace this serial number or any history? Thanks in advance

[Cosmic Geoff]

I have several genuine Ross London telescopes and so have taken an interest in the serial numbers. I have never found a definitive guide to the serial numbers, but the lower the number, the earlier the date of manufacture.  49994 could be of the order of 100 years old. But what is it?  It looks like it could be an exchangeable eyepiece for a spotting scope.

[noah4x4]

A Google enquiry throws up a paper compliled by Terence Wayland suggesting that Andrew Ross was born in 1798. Thomas Ross was not born until 1823.  Andrew was works manager for WT Gilbert until 1828 when that firm went bankrupt.

In 1830, Andrew Ross sets up in Albermarle Street and first marks his microscopes with serial numbers in 1842 and published a catalogue including several telescopes in that same year. One suspects that the practice of him marking telescopes had a similar commencement date.

This well researched paper embraces the fascinating history thereafter, right up to the liquidation of Ross Optical Limited as recently as 1982.

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi @Dave1973 and welcome to SGL. 

FWIW - I have this c.1916 sighting telescope... 

 

 

BTW - a blob of BluTack, (out of view), stopped it from rolling/falling off!

Edited February 21, 2020 by Philip R

[Aramcheck]

The Leeds Astronomical Society have a Ross telescope which was obtained in 1859 when the soc. founded. It's said that Sir John Herschel had some involvement in it's procurement.

Here's a couple of recent pictures of it from last year around the time of the club's 160th anniversary (on a more modern mount!)

 

Edited February 21, 2020 by Aramcheck
wrong pic...

[Dave1973]

Thanks for all the info. I’ll take some pictures and upload them. Some nice looking scopes very jealous 👍

[Dave1973]

[Dave1973]

[Dave1973]

Anyone know what the sign is? 

[Cosmic Geoff]

Does it work as a low powered telescope? What you show in your photos looks like only half a telescope - the back end (when compared with the telescopes in my collection).

[Peter Drew]

Does rather look like the erecting system tht usually attaches to the main telescope, I have a similar unit for my antique 3" Davis of Cheltenham refractor.  I also have a Ross 5" F15 triplet objective based refractor.    😀

[stevehaylingisland]

Hi I seem to have one too. This one has KD6 stamped rather than KD9. If I can bee more of a help my email is<private contact details removed>

Edited December 17, 2020 by Cornelius Varley
email address removed

[Ryan85]

We have this telescope that has the name E. L berthon the English inventor...... Made by Ross Ltd serial number in the pics can anyone fill us in with more information please 

[inFINNity Deck]

On the Antique Telescope Society forum there are quite a few very knowledgeable members who should be able to provide some answers.

Nicolàs

[Cosmic Geoff]

15 hours ago, Ryan85 said:

We have this telescope that has the name E. L berthon the English inventor...... Made by Ross Ltd serial number in the pics can anyone fill us in with more information please 

It looks like a genuine Ross. I can't read the serial number from the photo.  As far as I know, they are numbered in order of manuafacture and so the number will give some clue to its age. There is a list online that gives a few sample serial numbers and dates.  I can't get more than a rough idea of its size from the photos but it may be an 'officer of the watch' model that has lost its original leather sheathing.