21 replies to this topic

[rongee]

Hi,

 

I'm about to start work on refurbishing what appears to be a really old brass refractor.  I'll try to add some pictures, but it appears to be 2-3" in aperture, eyepieces and the main tube are all brass.  The stand is made of wood with a deep red finish.  I don't know if it's actually old or if its a replica of some kind.  Any thoughts on how I'd go about identifying it? 

 

Thanks.

 

Ron

 

 

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[ccwemyss]

Usually there are maker's inscriptions on the rear cell. The construction and staining of the box look modern to me -- not the quality of work that usually accompanies an antique. But it could be something built by a later owner. 

 

Chip W. 

[Couder]

The long eyepiece on the bottom of the picture is probably a terrestrial eyepiece - it gives right side up images.

[Ken Launie]

Close-up photos of the knurling around the eyepiece end and accessories often separates reproductions from older instruments, especially if it shows fine, convex knurls that are quite hard to do economically in typical "far east" factories, but which were typical back in the day. More pictures will help.

--Ken

[rachnoman]

Does it smell old?

[rongee]

I think I'll be on campus tomorrow where the telescope lives.  I'll see about getting more pictures.  Thanks to the thoughts so far.  Much appreciated.

[jragsdale]

Looks original, not a replica. Probably British or French, late-1800s to early 1900s.

[Kasmos]

From the photo I'm pretty sure it's the real deal. The patina and the details that I can make out look much better than any of the faux antiques I've seen. That said, it's hard to say the maker. You call it a stand but I assume you mean the tripod. A photo of the tripod and mount may help ID it.

 

Looking at the design of the finder brackets it made me think of Bardou and overall the whole kit looks very close to this one:

 

https://www.si.edu/e...pe:nmah_1183733

Edited by Kasmos, 29 July 2024 - 01:28 AM.

[Kasmos]

Many Bardous have a somewhat ornate tripod and mount. That's why I mentioned a photo of it might be helpful. Also did you take it out of the box and look at the back end of it? 

 

BTW, any refurbishing or restoration should be handled very carefully. Things like over polishing can harm it's value.

Edited by Kasmos, 29 July 2024 - 01:28 AM.

[rongee]

I'll try to get over to campus today and get more pictures. 

[rachnoman]

Do NOT restore this ancient telescope, please.
It is most likely a Bardou brand. The French were one of the first to produce quality glass for making lenses. In fact, some of the first Clark lenses used French glass.

Edited by rachnoman, 29 July 2024 - 01:25 PM.

[rongee]

Here are some further pictures of the telescope

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 

[rongee]

And more pictures of the telescope.....

The aperture is 3 inches.  

 

There is lettering at the viewing end that says, as near as I can tell, "I. Bardou-Paris" and "Navatry-Chicago".

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 

[rongee]

I found an old catalog online and the telescope might be a Bardou & Son telescope #5826, available in 1911.  I suppose it might have been available before that as well. 

[jragsdale]

Yeah, definitely a Bardou based on the tripod as well.

[EJN]

I'll try to get over to campus today and get more pictures. 

 

What campus? - I'm also in the Chicago NW suburbs, just curious.

[Kasmos]

Here are some further pictures of the telescope

My suspicions were right all along. Bardous have rather distinctive tripods and his is exactly why I said a photo of the tripod would help. Not to mention looking at the eyepiece end of the tube... but I just did.

[rongee]

EJN, I volunteer at Elmhurst University.

[ccwemyss]

Seeing the finger-jointing and the closer view of the hardware now makes me think the case is more likely the same vintage as the scope. Still not sure if the stained finish is original. Maybe another Bardou owner has put up photos of a case that could be compared to it. 

 

Chip W. 

[Kasmos]

Seeing the finger-jointing and the closer view of the hardware now makes me think the case is more likely the same vintage as the scope. Still not sure if the stained finish is original. Maybe another Bardou owner has put up photos of a case that could be compared to it. 

 

Chip W. 

I posted a link to one at the Smithsonian in post#8

 

They have a few photos of the box. Here it is again so you don't have to back track:

https://www.si.edu/e...pe:nmah_1183733

[rongee]

Any thoughts as to what the "Navatry - Chicago" might mean?

[NinePlanets]

Navatry = Naval