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This Fine Relic Has Been Sold. Thank you!
IMPORTANT ANTIQUE SPENCER~BROWNING & Co DOUBLE FRAME QUINTANT
/ SEXTANT
Ca 1839
Copyright 2009 by Land And Sea Collection, All Rights Reserved |
PRESENTED is a fine late 19th
C. mariner's double frame quintant with graduated arc and vernier, and bronze fittings. Engraved at mid-center of
the arc at the bottom is "Spencer Browning & Co. London", one of England's foremost instrument makers. Over
this is the serial number 2767. This instrument has been in a private collection for the last 35 years.
Spencer Browning Rust worked
in London from 1724 to 1840 when the name was changed to Spencer Browning & Co. after the death of Ebenezer
Rust. The successor, Spencer Browning had offices at a number of addresses on Wapping High Street, London and were in business until 1870.
Ref: Gloria Clifton, Directory of
British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851 (London, 1995), p. 261.
HISTORY OF THE DOUBLE FRAME PILLAR SEXTANT: The double or pillar
frame sextant was invented by Edward Thoughton, one of England's premier instrument makers, in 1788. It is comprised of two
relatively light weight sheets of brass making up the frame that are held together by a series of pillars, nineteen
in total. This formed a rigid frame on which mounted the mirrors, shades, a telescope, index arm, and magnifier.
The Troughton double frame sextant added to the inventors reputation, but it was a highly complex instrument to make, and
gave way to more simplified designs in the mid 19 th Century. The Spencer Browning & Co. quintant is an exact
copy of the Throughton instrument, and may in fact have been made for Spencer Browning by Throughton.
For a complete history of Edward Thoughton and his brother, John see http://landandseacollection.com/id207.html INSTRUMENT CONDITION: The mirrors are in remarkably
good condition and show little age. The beautifully turned Rosewood handle has a minor age crack on the back.
The index arm clamp, and swing arm magnifier are complete and in good working order. The double frame has a heavy
dark green to black patina of age with some variations in color, but is in excellent condition.
The instrument is complete with:
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Two original sighting tubes
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One low powered scope
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One high powered inverting collimation telescope
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Mirror adjustment pick
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One ocular lens cap with filter
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Missing are two lens caps, and a small tool
The polished arc and platinum scale is calibrated -5 to +155 degrees
with a vernier scale reading from the right from 0 to 10 arc seconds in 2 second intervals. The sextant has
four rectangular shades for the index mirror and three round shades fro the horizon mirror, all in good order. The telescope's
distance from the frame may be adjusted by turning a knob at the back of the rising piece. The instrument and it's accessories
are housed in a beautiful fitted keystone style hard wood carrying case which has brass hinges and latches and a
lock, but no key.
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New Bedford Whaler Mary ann | |
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SCROLL DOWN TO THE GALLERY PICTURES
BELOW
LABELS AND WRITING: In the case is a small label which reads:
No 89
CARL
RAHSSKOPFF
Instrument Maker,
412 Commercial, San
Francisco.
Repairing promptly executed
And another label facing towards
the top in type and printed:
Saturday, May 31, 1856
Whaler
Betsy Ann
New Bedford, MASS
1842 The is an illegible name written in pencil in the bottom of the case under where the instrument rests.
What i readable is 1874, Norwich, Conn,
THE CASE: The keystone" Mahogany case is in
excellent solid condition, with no age cracks or shrinking. There is a lock, but no key, and two original latches.
This style case went out of use by the late 19th Century. It has a wonderful old patina from golden to brown.
All in all, a highly desirable and exceptionable
example from one of the best known English instrument makers.
DIMENSIONS:
Length of frame 10 1/8"
Width of frame at arc 11 1/4"
Index mirror
50 x 33 mm
Horizon mirror
24 x 15 mm
Weight
3 Lbs
OUR UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE: If not completely
satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original condition
and packaging. Returns must be insured for their full value. All that is required is a prior email authorization by us for
the return. Unfortunately, no refund can be made for the cost of shipping, packaging and handling.
International buyers welcome, but
inquire first. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin
Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France,
Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Martinique, Mexico,
New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.
Buy this very special historic navigation instrument
Now! What a great find for that special person who can appreciate only the finest and most unusual.
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 accounts, no credit cards; or PayPal accepted on this item.
Copyright 2009 by Land And Sea
Collection, All Rights Reserved
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