The telescope has a wooden barrel and three brass draw tubes. The brass fittings include an objective lens cap and a sliding eyepiece cover. The original soft leather case also survives.

The maker's name is inscribed as 'G. Lyons, / BRISTOL.' on the smallest draw tube. This is Godfrey Lyons, who was working in Bristol around 1810.

The name of the original owner, Lieutenant T. Wells RN, is also inscribed on the brass collar around the barrel as well as on the lens cap. 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. A number of other items belonging to him are now in the National Maritime Museum, including NAV1602 and NAV1688.