ORIGINAL SESTREL HAND BEARING COMPASS by
Henry Browne & Son, Barking & London

 

The Original HENRY BROWNE, "SESTREL" HAND BEARING COMPASS

PRICE $795.00 plus shipping to 48 States $35.00 
 

 

Presented is an exceptionally high quality original Sestrel hand bearing compass that was designed and made by Henry Browne & Son, Barking, London, England, over may years.  These compasses were considered the finest hand bearing compass in the world, and were often copied inexpensively by pretenders, but were never duplicated in quality.

This compass is arguably the finest of its type ever designed as a hand bearing device. The bowl is made from cast bronze, and can be polished to a high luster. The optical glass prism magnifies the image, and  allows the user to see both the object being sighted and the compass card bearing at the same time. An iridium chip beneath the card was used to light it for night use and needs replacement. A penlight flashlight is a good substitute. The compass is mounted on a solid teak handle with attached card to make notations. At two pounds, it has the heft and feel of strength and durability.

The compass comes in an expensive teak wood case with clear panel so  the ship's heading can be seen at a glance when mounted in a fore and aft direction. It is good looking enough to appeal to a collector or in a room decorated in a nautical decor. Both case and compass show very little evidence of use considering their age and service at sea.

 

COMPANY HISTORY:

Henry Brown designed this compass in 1937 when it was first offered for sale for swinging aircraft compasses. Their factory was located at Wakering Road, Barking, Essex, and they had an office at 71 Leadenhall Street, London,which opened in 1947. By that time, their product line included Nautical Instruments, Compasses, Clocks, Binoculars, Telescopes, Thermometers, Sounding Apparatus, Aircraft Instruments, Signaling Equipment, Meteorological Instruments, Barographs, Thermographs, Aneroid Barometers, Sextants, and Yacht Equipment. During WW II, their "Dead Beat" compass was fitted to most Royal Navy ships through the the 1970's.

Around 1975, as part of the industry wide consolidation taking place in the marine instrument and equipment business, the assets of Henry Browne were purchased by Lilley & Gilley who continued this compass under the Sestrel brand for a number of years. The Sestrel operations were sold more than once. Today, there are reproductions on the market and out right fakes. But even the best of the reproductions, like those made by SIRS Navigation Company in the UK, do not have the fine quality of those made by Henry Browne & Son and later by Lilley & Gilley. The SIRS compass sells their version under the Radiant brand in the United States for over $1333.00 with an inexpensive plastic box case.

 

REVERSED CARD: The compass card is seen in reverse above because it is intended to be viewed through the prism which reflects the image properly. The reddish compound around the inner bezel is the sealing putty.

DIMENSIONS:

COMPASS:     4" bowl, 4" x 2" handle, 10" length overall
TEAK CASE:   9 1/4"H x 5 1/4" W x 5 1/4" D
WEIGHT:         Compass 2 lbs, In case 3 1/2 lbs

CONDITION: The two inch compass card is clear and sharp and the prism magnifies its size to the equivalent of 5 inches. It works like it should, and everything is in good condition regardless of its age and years at sea. All the brass work has its original bluish grey paint scheme except for some very minor losses. The largest  missing piece is on the top of the plug by which fluid is added. There are no bubbles or dents, but the original radium chip needs to be replaced or a penlight might be used at night. The Teak wood case is in excellent condition, but shows some minor light scratches and a couple chips. The white plastic notation card on the handle is in good condition.

STAR RANKING: This instrument shows some very minor signs of use at sea, but is still in excellent condition and ranks 5 Stars.

This is the perfect item for those who have an interest in navigation, or want to have the best hand compass ever made 

Maker's markings along the bezel

Removable plug for fluid has the largest paint loss

Prism shows the bearings even when in the case

HOW TO USE A HAND BEARING COMPASS:  The seller, a retired Master, has used a similar Sestrel while at sea. He believes that In this day of electronic navigation, they are still handy for the following purposes which are as valid now as they were 45 years ago. For those people who grew up with GPS, that system cannot provide the information a  hand bearing compass can unless coupled to a Radar. And then you need to know Radar plotting to solve Closest Point of Approach situations. Here's how to use this compass:

WHILE UNDERWAY:

• Take bearings of vessels in crossing situations to determine risk of collision. 
• Take bearings of sea buoys, land marks or other objects to determine distance off at time of passing
• In congested waters, take bearings of a number of different vessels to determine if their relative position is constant or changing.
• Sailors learn to take back bearings to determine your leeway

AT ANCHOR:
                                    
                                     
                                    

• Always take anchor bearings of own vessel to make sure you are not dragging.
• Take bearings of other vessels to make sure they are not a danger to you.

Rarely do you find an old piece seagoing gear in such great condition. A great find for any nautical collection or use it at sea. 

STANDARD FLAT RATE SHIPPING to the 48 contiguous States $35.00

OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned within five days of receipt in its original packaging if without damage. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization from us for the return is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer within the continental United States if an error is due to our fault.

 

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, Dubai, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.

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