This achromatic telescope has a tortoiseshell barrel, a single draw tube and silvered brass fittings. Its original rayskin-covered case also survives. The eyepiece has a thumbwheel, allowing the observer to select one of four numbered lenses of different magnifying powers. Four numbered stop lines on the draw tube indicate the optimum length for viewing with each of the eyepiece lenses.

The maker's name is inscribed on the draw tube as ‘NAIRNE & BLUNT’, while inscriptions on the screw-on eyepiece cap name two previous owners: 'John Palmer Junr JAMAICA. 1774' and 'Charles Parrott Aust 1845'. The earlier date of 1774 indicates when the telescope was made.