Fullerscopes 3" Export refractor on eBay[UK]

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Fullerscopes 3" Black / Brass Export Refractor and MKIII mount | eBay

Fullerscopes Export 3" achromatic refractor with brass finder and Mk3 mount with slow motion worm gears, good optics and mount. 1.25" draw tube. Being a refractor you will need a right angle eyepiece holder to use it. (not supplied)

Asking for bids over £180 after being re-listed following a lack of bids at £200.


In fair condition cosmetically it looks as if the brass has been re-polished. This might need to be re-lacquered to avoid too regular a repetition with the Brasso. Brass from the classical period should be finished in deep gold and is readily available in cold working lacquer from clock restoration outlets. There is no longer any need to develop the necessary skill to apply layers of lacquer to hot metal. Though the modern coating may not be to the same high standard nor last as long with regular handling.

The original, black wrinkle paint looks most attractive. We must remember that a 3" refractor was a serious instrument in its time, albeit the smallest recommended by authors like Patrick Moore. It is only recently that refractor prices have fallen with [mostly] Chinese mass production. Leading to a wide range of choices at previously unheard of apertures.

Note the classical one-sided, internal, rack focuser and knurled, brass, focusing wheel. It is very fortunate that the instrument uses 1.25" eyepieces. Earlier instruments would have used RAS thread. Which is obsolete these days if modern eyepiece quality is desired. An original instrument would have used Huygenian or Ramsden eyepieces.  Which are fine for a long focus refractor but have rather a small field by modern standards. Modern star diagonals are very affordable and only necessary for observing objects at higher altitudes.

The brass finder has centering rings with excellent standoff to avoid interference with the main eyepiece when the finder is being used.

The instrument would look well as an exhibition piece in an indoor setting. Yet light enough to be carried out to the lawn to enjoy viewing the Moon or even the Sun by solar projection. Though these days a full aperture solar film filter is considered much safer. Particularly if there are children in the household. A telescope should never be left unattended if there is the slightest risk of children pointing it at the Sun.

The whole instrument could easily be mistaken for a high quality Victorian or Edwardian refractor from the golden era of "Brass and Glass" from the workshops of one of the great London makers. Fullerscopes took over Broadhurst & Clarkson but this was long after the heyday of the "name" in optics. No doubt Dudley Fuller hoped some of the "label" quality would rub off on potential customers.

Even cursory examination of my Fullerscopes mountings suggests the contrary as far as quality was concerned. The MkIII being sold with the refractor is a sturdy but very basic mounting by modern standards. This one has the advantage of slow motions and original axis locking wheels. It will carry a 3" refractor quite effortlessly if suitable wooden tripod legs are fitted to the base casting. A synchronous motor could possibly be obtained from Beacon Hill Telescopes to keep objects in the field of view. GOTO will cost a great deal more unless you have the skill to adapt it from a modern mounting.

Click on any image for an enlargement.

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