If that's a Ross telescope, I'm Judy Garland...
Ross Stalking Telescope Write Up
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If that's a Ross telescope, I'm Judy Garland...
DengueDave
Member
Dear all,
I just wanted to update you on my Ross scope which I introduced to the group last year.
Having contacted Lord Gisborough's family who had no real interest in the item I found an estate inscribed on the scope who were happy to take it off my hands.
They are very keen to do more research and hopefully they can learn more of its history.
D
I just wanted to update you on my Ross scope which I introduced to the group last year.
Having contacted Lord Gisborough's family who had no real interest in the item I found an estate inscribed on the scope who were happy to take it off my hands.
They are very keen to do more research and hopefully they can learn more of its history.
D
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
Late to the party...but I have this day just taken ownership of a Ross scope.
Just for ***** and giggles I put it on the scales...
In its' beautiful case, it comes in at 5 lbs or 2.25 Kg in new money.
Just something to bear in mind when getting 'fit ready', for your next adventure on the Hill...
Just for ***** and giggles I put it on the scales...
In its' beautiful case, it comes in at 5 lbs or 2.25 Kg in new money.
Just something to bear in mind when getting 'fit ready', for your next adventure on the Hill...
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Sealgair nam fiadh
Well-Known Member
12.25 kg, what's it made of, lead ? 
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
Not just my belly that's fat...12.25 kg, what's it made of, lead ?
All their stalking/3 draw telescopes that I have handled lack the sharp focus and light transmission that we have come to expect from modern optics, their mainstay was microscopes not telescopes.
Only comparable make to Ross was Negretti and Zambra, the only other company of that time besides Ross to hold a Royal Warrant for optics. Very uncommon to find one of their stalking scopes, but was lucky enough to own a 'Mcleod' (way too big to be practical) and one of their aluminum models which was much more sensible.
Ross Aluminum stalking 3 draw, biggest objective lens version with case (option 6) was £20 in 1880-1890...
Happens that such a model is the last one that I have in my posession and will keep for the foreseeable.
Peter Kirk's Ross Stalking Telescope
Dear All, Recently purchased an aluminum Ross scope from Joy, the widow of Peter Kirk (formerly Deer Commission). Thought someone here might know or know of him. When I saw it up for sale I had to have it. A larger Ross stalking scope is not common but an aluminum one is rare. These would have...
www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk
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20 quid in 1880 about 1300 in 2017 according to the national archives converter!All their stalking/3 draw telescopes that I have handled lack the sharp focus and light transmission that we have come to expect from modern optics, their mainstay was microscopes not telescopes.
Only comparable make to Ross was Negretti and Zambra, the only other company of that time besides Ross to hold a Royal Warrant for optics. Very uncommon to find one of their stalking scopes, but was lucky enough to own a 'Mcleod' (way too big to be practical) and one of their aluminum models which was much more sensible.
Ross Aluminum stalking 3 draw, biggest objective lens version with case (option 6) was £20 in 1880-1890...
View attachment 335034
Happens that such a model is the last one that I have in my posession and will keep for the foreseeable.
Peter Kirk's Ross Stalking Telescope
Dear All, Recently purchased an aluminum Ross scope from Joy, the widow of Peter Kirk (formerly Deer Commission). Thought someone here might know or know of him. When I saw it up for sale I had to have it. A larger Ross stalking scope is not common but an aluminum one is rare. These would have...
Pretty interesting that the costs are in parity ish over the time frame. I suppose it shows what goes into manufacturing a really quality product then and now…
cutty sark
Well-Known Member
Are greys with a low serial number worth more in the second hand market.
Are greys with a low serial number worth more in the second hand market.
Depends, lenses are not coated on the early ones so you could clean them on the inside if need be. Latter ones you risk 'damaging the coatings' according to the shop.
You'll never beat the value of this one though...
Mil-Spec Gray & Co. Telescope!
Not mine, belongs to a friend, and no it is not for sale before anyone asks. Apparently a 'mil spec' configuration according to Grahams of Inverness. What is of note is the dark green anodising and lack of usually serial number on the sunshade. Anyone else got one?
www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk
cutty sark
Well-Known Member
Worked for an Italian chap who had numbers 1&2, gifted to him by Milne who used to stalk on his estate, long time ago now though, two glasses taken to the hill on a wet day, cause as you know when they’re damp and wet they’re nay much use.
Worked for an Italian chap who had numbers 1&2, gifted to him by Milne who used to stalk on his estate, long time ago now though, two glasses taken to the hill on a wet day, cause as you know when they’re damp and wet they’re nay much use.
Packed properly it's night and day difference, literally air tight so there are vent holes around the objective lens.
Fosbery Holster
Well-Known Member
Just an update to add from me to this fascinating subject. I recently conducted a little test comparing the optical qualities of my scopes (two Ross and a Gray) on a clear bright day at around midday at a distance of approximately 1 mile viewing individual subjects (sheep and drystone walls) on the fells visible from my kitchen door.
First Ross a very early “A Ross” (possibly 1860’s) brass bodied.
Second Ross approximately 1930’s Aluminium bodied.
Finally the Grey serial number 3323 with coated lenses.
l was quite surprised by the results, the two Ross were very compatible, great clarity and sharpness of subjects but the Gray‘s similarly sharp and clear only just came out on top probably because of the coated lenses, comparing the three in my simple test proved the quality of the Ross against the quality of the Gray, all three superb examples of quality.
Top in the photo the Gray.
Middle the A Ross.
Bottom the aluminium Ross.
Sorry about the quality of the photo.
First Ross a very early “A Ross” (possibly 1860’s) brass bodied.
Second Ross approximately 1930’s Aluminium bodied.
Finally the Grey serial number 3323 with coated lenses.
l was quite surprised by the results, the two Ross were very compatible, great clarity and sharpness of subjects but the Gray‘s similarly sharp and clear only just came out on top probably because of the coated lenses, comparing the three in my simple test proved the quality of the Ross against the quality of the Gray, all three superb examples of quality.
Top in the photo the Gray.
Middle the A Ross.
Bottom the aluminium Ross.
Sorry about the quality of the photo.
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