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SPENCER, BROWNING & RUST THREE MIRROR BACK
SIGHT EARLY HADLEY STYLE OCTANT
Ca 1750 - 1755
Presented is a very large octant with an index arm of 16 inches
made by the famous British instrument maker, Spencer, Browning & Rust of London. It is only one inch smaller than Hadley's
“double reflecting” octant which was submitted to the Royal Society in London in 1731. Shortly thereafter,
Hadley began selling octants with a vertical dimension of 17 inches compared to this instruments 16 inches. We can conclude
that SBR was one of the first to adopt the Double Reflecting principal in their own instruments.
Housed in a keystone, stair step case of the period |
It has the characteristics
of a very early octant consisting of:
An early style Ebony frame
Three mirrors
Two peep sights
Maker's name on cross member
Ivory pencil holder and ivory tab on back
Flat brass index arm 16 inches or longer
Graduated arc from - 5 degrees to + 100 degrees
Vernier reading from right to left, 0 to 20 minutes
Precisely machined bronze fittings
Single set of three movable shades (filters)
The three shade glass assembly is movable for placement at either the index mirror position or below at
the secondary position where the third mirror allows for the taking of "back sights".
The precise spacing and
markings on the arc suggest that this instrument was made by a superior instrument maker, standing at the top of
his trade. In our opinion, it is the equal in quality of any instrument of this early period.
MARKINGS: In addition to the cross
member having the maker's name, at the center of the ivory degree's scale, between 45 and 50 degrees, is inscribed in
script "SBR" identifying this instrument as that of Spencer, Browning & Rust, of London.
Maker's name on cross
piece | |
SBR intitals between 45° & 50° | |
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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. They had
an early dividing machine and inscribed arcs for others. Ref: Gloria Clifton, Directory of British Scientific
Instrument Makers 1550-1851 (London, 1995), p. 261.
Machinery looking towards index mirror | |
Looking toward horizon & back sight mirror | |
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The
metal fittings are precisely machined, which makes this instrument a work of manufacturing excellence for this
early a period.
DIMENSIONS:
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Arc reads - 5 to +95 degrees
-
Length of index arm 16" long
-
Width of frame at arc 13 1/8 " wide
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Index mirror 49 x 34 mm
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Horizon mirror - 24 x 20 mm
-
Back sight mirror - 24 x 20 mm
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Three movable shade glasses
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Two Peep sights
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Weight 2 Lbs 12 oz
DATING THE INSTRUMENT: The arc measures from - 5 to plus 95 degrees
on a Ebony frame which is in excellent condition. It is known that Mahogany went out of use in favor of Ebony some time
after 1750. The octant has a flat brass index arm measuring 16 inches long with a finger clamp. Tangent
screws began replacing finger clamps in the last quarter of the 18th Century. The
horizon mirror is mounted on an adjustable turntable. Its base can be rotated by loosening a screw which locks the mirror's
position. A third mirror is below it for taking back sights and is also adjustable. The ivory vernier scale, reads from
right to left from 20 to 0 arc minutes, a two hole peep sight with "flap", and movable three sun shades which serve both mirrors
on the frame.
All of these features date the instrument after 1750 and before
1780, likely Ca 1775. Some time after 1780, the index arm clamp was superseded by an adjustable tangent screw, which also
helps date this octant. See Peter Ifland's comprehensive sextant work, "Taking the Stars".
particularly figure 64, page 57.
Old style vernier reading right to left | |
Viewing horizon & back sight mirrors | |
CONDITION: The instrument is in good
condition except for some minor faults. The front machinery of the octant was polished some time ago and has since
developed some age patina. On the back, some of the machinery is polished and some isn't. The graduated arc is excellent,
and all the hardware are present. All three bronze legs are original. It has the ivory pad on back, and
the original small ivory scribe. The three mirrors all have remnants of silvering, but show their age.
The Case is the typical stair step
of this period. We believe it not to be original to this octant being made of Pine rarther than Mahogany. The corks are recent
replacements. The top has a long age crack in the lower panel and some chips are missing along the front edge. It
also is slightly warped and does not register exactly when closed. The bottom has a smaller age crack and shows normal signs
of age. Otherwise it is strong and sturdy, and the octant fits as it should. There is no lock, but there two period hooks
and eyes.
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