This achromatic telescope is typical of those used on board ship for making general observations in the early 19th century. It has a leather-covered tapering barrel and a single silvered-brass draw tube, on which is engraved the maker's name: 'Dollond / London'. The eyepiece lens has a sliding cover.

This was one of a pair, with a night telescope also by Dollond (NAV1489). They were presented to Commander George Back of the Royal Navy in February 1833 at the commencement of his command of the expedition to find Sir John Ross in the Arctic seas.