John Herschel discovered NGC 7277 = h3940 on 27 Sep 1834 and recorded "pF; pL; lE; glbM." He later noted "[The following of 2]", when NGC 7268 was seen the following night.

400/500mm - 17.5" (10/5/91): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE. Pair with NGC 7268 7.2' WSW.

600/800mm - 24" (9/6/18): at 375x; fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, brighter core. The major axis is collinear with a mag 13.3 star 3.5' SE. NGC 7268, a close double system, lies 7' WSW. The sky contrast was poor (hazy), viewing at a low elevation.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb