Four-fold collapsible telescope, brass with leather veneer sheathing, diam. 2 3/16 in., 11 1/4 in. retracted, 31 1/2 in. fully extended. Inscribed on the fourth fold out section “Lt. Com. G. H. Perkins / U.S.S. Sciota / 1862." Blacklight reveals faint identification “E Oakes” on leather wrap ornamented with small embellishments in yellow paint or gold gilding. A Civil War naval telescope identified to Lieutenant Commander George H. Perkins, a career naval officer who fought with Farragut and served the duration of the Civil War.

Commodore George Hamilton Perkins (1835-1899) was born at Hopkinton, New Hampshire, in 1835, and was appointed midshipman in 1851. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1856 he embarked upon a decades-long naval career that would include service throughout the Civil War. HDS indicates that Perkins was promoted to lieutenant commander in December 1862, while his letters indicate that he was given command of the Sciota in July 1863, together suggesting this telescope may have been a gift to Perkins mid-war upon receipt of his new command.

Perkins fought with Admiral Farragut at Forts Jackson and Saint Philip, steering the Cayuga through the Confederate barrage. The Cayuga was the first warship to pass the forts, where it found itself alone facing eleven Confederate vessels. Perkins accompanied Captain Theodorus Bailey in the first boat sent to demand the surrender of New Orleans in April 1862. After his promotion to lieutenant commander his service in the Gulf of Mexico continued, including command of the gunboats New London and Sciota, and the monitor Chickasaw. He fought at Port Hudson, the Battle of Mobile Bay, and Forts Powell, Gaines, and Morgan in August 1864. Perkins served on active duty until 1891, attaining promotions to commander in 1871 and captain in 1882. He was commissioned a Commodore on the Retired List in 1896 in recognition of his gallantry and skill during the Battle of Mobile Bay three decades earlier. Three U.S. Navy ships have been named in his honor. The Naval History and Heritage Command retains items from Perkins in its Navy Department Library, Art Gallery, and Photo Archives.

A rare opportunity to own an identified naval artifact which almost certainly experienced war-time use by a heroic Civil War naval officer. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Relics, Militaria, Accouterment, Equipment, Uniforms] [Navy, US Navy, Naval History, US Naval Academy, Brown Water Navy, David Glasgow Farragut, David Dixon Porter, Battle of Mobile Bay, Battle of New Orleans, Blockade, Confederate Blockade]

Condition generally good. Wear and scuffing to leather. Brass with wear and bronzed patina. Minor dents and dings from field use. No case.