This achromatic telescope has a tapering mahogany barrel covered with leather. It has a single brass draw tube and brass fittings, although both the objective lens cap and part of the eyepiece assembly are now missing.

This example is typical of the sort of telescope used in the 19th century for making general observations at sea. The name 'Wells' inscribed on the draw tube refers to Captain Thomas Wells RN, who once owned this telescope. He also owned a number of other items now held by the National Maritime Museum, including NAV1688 and NAV1689.

Thomas Wells was promoted to Lieutenant in 1795 and to Commander in 1808 while commanding the sloop HMS 'Cruiser'. In 1811 he commanded the sloop HMS 'Phipps' and in 1812 captured the French privateer 'Le Cerf'. Later that year he assisted in the recapture of HMS 'Apelles'. Captain Wells died in 1825.