This achromatic telescope is of a style that was commonly used on board ship from the 19th century onwards and is known as an Officer of the Watch telescope. It has a leather-covered barrel and a single silvered-brass draw tube. The other silvered-brass fittings include an extending sunshade and a sliding eyepiece cover.

The draw tube has the inscription 'GIEVES LTD. / No. 8576'. The firm of Gieves probably did not make the telescope but would have sold it.

A second inscription on the collar of the barrel names a previous owner, Commander P.R.G. Worth (1917-81), who served in the Royal Navy from 1935 to 1958. A number of items belonging to Commander Worth are now in the National Maritime Museum including his Distinguished Service Cross (MED2002).