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Rarely do we have the opportunity
to offer an absolutely outstanding and flawless "Collector Quality" example of any maker's sextant. However, this
year, we have managed to have had five of C. Plaths highest quality and most sought after examples. In this case
we present a rare 1987 (est.) C. Plath Navistar Classic, Serial No. 63321 in its magnificent Mahogany
wood case with energy absorbing green liner. The sextant sits in the case with its handle up, ready for use, a handy feature.
It has an upgraded Carl Zeiss 4 x 40 scope, and a WHOLE HORIZON MIRROR, the first we have seen
on a Plath instrument. If I recall correctly, that was a $350.00 option when the sextant was new. For the traditionalist,
we can substitute a split image horizon mirror for $100.00 exchange which includes readjusting the optics. Right now, their
is no side error, and negligible index error.
This sextant was the top of the Plath
line and was made with a guaranteed non-adjustable instrument error of 10 arc seconds or less. It was available only in limited
quantities, and sold for a premium over all its other sextants.
Since some people are selling standard
Plath Classics claiming they are a Navistar. Let us give you the visual clues. The real Navistar Classic
has a special micrometer drum that can not be mistaken, and the Navistar brand imprint on the arc. The vernier has six indents
and reads to 10 seconds of arc. It should come with its original detailed Navistar instruction booklet, and Plath's certification with
matching numbers is frequently undated.
For the seven year period from 1978 through
1985 only 1693 Navistar Classics were made. That is 221 per year to satisfy worldwide demand.
CONDITION: Sextant as New! There is no discernable evidence of wear or use so that it can be considered as new in all respects.
It operates like a well oiled piece of machinery, and has NO faults even minor ones. Both mirrors shows as NEW. The interior of the case is as originally fitted with a special Green foam energy absorbing insert top and
bottom. The bronze arc has been recently cleaned. The case shows some whitening of the finish and has some marks,
but from a foot away looks great. The lighting works.
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Vernier reads to 6 seconds | |
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Same for WHOLE horizon mirror |
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C. Plath quit
producing sextants around 2001. The parent company has completely liquidated everything including machinery, equipment and
spare parts.
This is one of the finest examples of a previously owned C. Plath Classic that we have ever seen
and is suitable for a collector or for use at sea . It requires someone who can appreciate the fine points of a sextant,
and is willing to pay an appropriate price for this level of quality and excellence.
STAR RATING: This super fine Collector Quality instrument
rates FIVE PLUS STARS irrespective of age, the third time we have given that rating.
CREDENTIALS: We are one of the few people still selling
navigation instruments that know anything about them. For purposes of judging whether my opinion counts, I was the editor
of the chapter on sextants of the 1977 Edition of "Bowditch", The American Practical Navigator, NAVPUB 9; a member of
the U.S. Naval Academy Navigation Symposium Board, 1975-1978; the author of a book on marine sextants, Cornell Maritime Press,1975,
and the founding president of Nautech Maritime Corporation which partnered with Tamaya of Japan in the introduction of the
MS 733 Spica, the MS 833, Jupiter, MS 933 Venus sextants and the famous NC-2 navigation computer, in the U.S. market.
I am also a retired Master Mariner, and held a U.S. Navy "D" Qualification as a Senior Skipper - Oceans.
COMPANY HISTORY: In brief, Carl Plath started manufacturing
sextants, in addition to other nautical products, in Hamburg Germany in 1862 though the company's origin dates back to 1837.
As a result WW II, C.Plath was dismantled completely by the occupation forces. Around 1950, various prohibitions
were lifted, and C. Plath was allowed to begin production again of sextants and other nautical instruments. Also in 1949,C.Plath
was offered a gyrocompass patent and in 1951 the first gyrocompass designed to this patent was presented to the public. C.Plath progressed
from the role of instrument maker to that of a modern marine navigation equipment manufacturer. In the following years the
product range was expanded by many more modern designs such as autopilots, speed logs, radio direction finders, etc.
In 1962 C.Plath was acquired by Litton Industries,
a large American concern.The C.Plath North American Division was set up in 1978 in College Park near Washington. 1996
saw the introduction of the world's first fiber-optic solid-state gyrocompass by C.Plath. The first ever gyrocompass with
no moving parts. Sperry Marine was formed in 1997 with the combination of C.Plath, Decca Marine and Sperry Marine with more
organizational changes yet to come. After 163 years, C.Plath changes its name to Sperry Marine in May 2000. In 2001 Sperry
Marine becomes part of the Northrop Grumman Corporation.
C. PLATH NAVISTAR CLASSIC SPECIFICATIONS:
Measuring Range: -5 to 125 degrees
Telescope: 4 x 40 Coated
optics
Frame: Bronze with black enamel paint and bronze arc.
Micrometer Drum and Vernier Scale: reads
to 12 seconds of arc
Index Mirror: 56 x 42 mm. aluminized on the rear side.
Whole Horizon Mirror:
57mm diameter.
Shades:
4 for index mirror
3 for horizon mirror
Weight sextant: 4.2 lbs, Weight
case 6 lbs.
INCLUDED ARE:
GUARANTEE
OF SATISFACTION: You must be fully satisfied with your purchase on arrival and that our description is
entirely accurate or your money back. The only conditions are that an email authorization be obtained within three days, and
that the instrument is returned in its original condition and packaging, and insured for its full value. Unfortunately, shipping
charges are not included in this offer and are non-refundable unless we are at fault.
INTERNATIONAL BUYERS WELCOME, but inquire first. We
have satisfied customers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, England, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Holland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Puerto
Rico, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.
ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer,
cashier's check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. No checks from overseas
buyers, no credit cards or PayPal accepted on this item.
Only twice before have we offered a Navistar Classic
that was so perfect. A true masterpiece that will be equally home at sea or in a collection of only the finest.
Copyright 2006 by Land And Sea Collection.com, All Rights
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