Description

This is a superb early 19th Century military brass telescope, with 2 brass draws, and the main body clad in mahogany. It measures 15.5 inches; when closed, and 22.5 inches; fully open. The objective lens is 1.5 inches;.
It is complete with it’s original leather case and lid.
Made C1808, and clearly signed on the 2nd draw tube;

“Narrien / London / Improved Day and Night”
He worked in London 1805 – 1825, at 70 St.James’s Street, London.

The uniqueness of this telescope, is that it is also clearly inscribed; “Hon\ Chas G. Bruce / used by his grandfather Gen. Sir Wm Napier, in the Peninsula War”. General Sir Willian Francis Patrick Napier KCB [1785 – 1860], was an eminent British General and Historian. He was present at the Siege of Copenhagen, and served under Sir Arthur Wellesly in the attack on the Danish Army, and took part in the battle of Kioge.
In 1808, his regiment arrived in Coruna as part of the Peninsular War Army. He was seriously wounded in 1811, but was then appointed Brigade Major to the Portugese Brigade of the Light Division.
He took part in the battle of Fuentes Onoro 5th May 1811, and was promoted to Brevet – Major, and by Nov. 1813, had made Brevet Lt- Colonel, and was in action at the battle of Orthez in 1814.
In 1823 he wrote the definitive 6 volumes of “The History of the War In The Peninsula”, and by 1830, became Colonel, and by 1841, promoted to Major-General.
In 1842, he was made Lt-Govenor of Guernsey, which he resigned in 1847. In 1848 he was made K.C.B. He had a noted family history, married well, and his daughter Norah, produced a son, from her marriage to Henry Austin Bruce [ 1st Baron of Duffryn].
This son became ….. Brigadier Gen.Hon.Charles Granville Bruce M.V.O., C.B…… which is also inscribed on this telescope. [ 1866 -1939].
He joined the Indian Army in 1888, serving with the 5th Gurkha Rifles from 1889.
He developed a passion for wrestling and climbing.
His climbing experience was impressive, and climbed in the European Alps, and early expeditions to the Himalaya.
He went to Gallipoli in 1914, and commanded the 6th Gurka Rifles, and was wounded there.
In 1922 he led the 2nd British Expedition to Mount Everest. He met George Mallory there, and eventually led the 3rd Expedition to Everest, but contracted malaria, and left. The command was then taken over by Lt Colonel Edward Norton, who failed in his own attempt to reach the summit. This expedition was where George Mallory and Sandy Irvine were last seen 800 feet from the summit. They never came back, but Mallory’s body was found in 1999 . It is argued that they might have reached the summit, as a photograph of his wife, which he promised to place on the summit, was not among his personal effects, when his otherwise intact body was found.
Charles Bruce died of a stroke in 1939.
This telescope is in excellent condition, with very good optics.
To add to the desirability of this Telescope, it is sold with the Complete 6 Volumes of W.E.P Napier’s HISTORY OF THE WAR IN THE PENINSULA AND IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE, first published in 1832, with this, a copy of the 1992 Edition. Also, there is a copy of “INTO THE SILENCE, THE GREAT WAR, MALLORY and the CONQUEST OF EVEREST”, where there are many references to Charles Bruce, especially his relationship with George Mallory.