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This Exceptional Instrument Has Been Sold. Thank you!
U.S. NAVY MK III SEXTANT
~ C. Plath Pedigree ~
UN-USED
Presented is our first
opportunity ever to offer an absolutely new and flawless "Collector Quality" example of a U.S.
Navy MK III sextant. We have sold top quality MK III's before, all in exceptional condition, but this is the first new one
we've ever seen. It is Serial Number 2365 made by Scientific Instruments of Milwaukee, WI. All their MK III instruments made
by them have their tag riveted on the index arm. The sextant comes complete with all its original accessories
including a spare set of mirrors, a sighting circle, extra bulbs, and its Butternut wood case. The matching certificate
is dated 11/16/90.
Six years ago I used one with good results when I went on a brief cruise on a Spruance Class
destroyer, USS CARON, DD 970. I appreciated its lighter than average weight, and comfortable handle.
POVENANCE: This sextant was acquired from the estate of the prior owner
who purchased it at auction held at the Charleston Navy Yard, South Carolina after its closure in 1996. It was never used
by him, and remains in it original unused state.
SOME BACKGROUND: At the time the design of this
sextant was adopted around 1975, I was a member of the Navy Department's Navigation Symposium Board, and remember the criteria
that was established. They coincided with already existing technology in the civilian maritime community. In total, the new
design was far advanced from the ubiquitous Navy WW II standby, the Navy MK II.
The Tamaya MS 733 and the C. Plath sextants met these criteria as
did a few others, but there was strong feelings in government procurement then to "Buy American" in contrast to today's World
Economy. Consequently, two American manufactures were selected for the MK III program, M. Low of which little is known
other than they were a New York dealer in nautical instruments, and Scientific Instruments, of Milwaukee, WI. These
sextants were made under license by C. Plath, Hamburg, Germany who may have provided the tooling. C. Plath aficionados take
note, the design is clearly the same as the C. Plath Classic sextant down to the last detail other than its ergonomic handle
and large size high impact resistant case. This pedigree is noted on page 119 of the book by Friedrich Jerchow, "From
Sextant to Satellite Navigation, (1837-1987) 150 years C. Plath".
At last report, this design, was no longer being issued because
the last maker ceased operations in January, 2008. In the recent past, two were issued to U.S. Navy ships on commissioning .
They cost the Navy over $4300.00 according to Scientific Instruments before they closed. Consequently, this
may be the last new Navy MKIII in the world.
Listed are what were "state of the art" design features, that are still
the standard today:
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Light weight
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Large size index mirror
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Large size horizon mirror
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Lighting system
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Vernier reading to 6 seconds
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Handle for ergonomic fit
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Wide angle telescope
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Non adjustable instrument error of less than 20 arc seconds
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Military high impact absorbent case
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CONDITION: The sextant is brand new and shows no discernable evidence of use. All its machinery works well. Both fitted mirrors are
NEW. It comes with a set of new replacement mirrors. The numbers match on the certificate. The lighting works. The nicely finished Butternut case shows a couple of small dents and a few scratches. The index error is negligible,
and there is a touch of side error which is a good thing. The last certificate is included. No locks are fitted to this Navy
style case.
STAR RANKING: This sextant and case rates
as "NEW"
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Flawless new index mirror | |
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Perfect new horizon
mirror | |
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Large Butternut case with hi impact interior |
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This is fine NEW sextant in perfect condition and is backed by our guarantee of satisfaction. 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.
DOES MY OPINION COUNT:  We are one of the few company's 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 also am a retired Master Mariner, and held a U.S. Navy "D" Qualification
as a Senior Skipper - Oceans. From 1995 until 2001, I served as a Varsity Offshore Coach at the U.S. Naval Academy.
U.S. NAVY MK III SPECIFICATIONS:
Measuring Range: -5 to 125 degrees
Accuracy: Tested to +/- 20 arc seconds
Telescope: 2 x 40 Coated optics
Frame: Aluminum with black enamel paint and white
numbers.
Micrometer Drum and Vernier Scale: reads to 6 arc seconds
Index Mirror: 57 x 42 mm with spare
Horizon Mirror: 57mm diameter with spare
Shades:
3 for index mirror
3
for horizon mirror
Illumination:
Yes
Weight sextant: 2.5 lbs, Weight case in case 12.5 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 Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Democratic
Republic of Congo, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait,
Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Puerto Rico, Rumania, 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 credit cards or
PayPal accepted.
We have never offered a NEW Navy MK III sextant before.
It will be equally home at sea or in a collection of only the finest.
Copyright 2008 by Land And Sea Collection™, All
Rights Reserved |
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