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C. Plath's Earliest Bronze Frame Sextant!
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CARL PLATH'S EARLIEST
BRONZE FRAME
QUINTANT/SEXTANT THE OLDEST KNOWN
Quality Presentation
Grade!
Presented for the second time is
the earliest C. Plath, bronze frame, quintant that we formerly sold to the president of a prestigious trade association.
It was given to honor the accomplishments of the recipient. Time has passed and the honoree is down sizing so this fine instrument
has found its way to market again. It carries C. Plath's Serial Number 4370 that is stamped on both its arc and on the
on the top edge of the instrument's magnificent flaming Mahogany case. It is 1689 serial numbers earlier than the lowest
number that we have in our proprietary register of C. Plath, Hamburg serial numbers that we maintain. Therefore, we can
date it as late 19th Century.
C. Plath Hamburg is prominently engraved
on its arc in Copper Plate script which was the style of the mid 19th Century. In 2012, four years ago, it was polished and
lacquered and continues to look fresh. The brilliant case and the matching stylish instrument makes this perfect for presentation
or as a very special gift.
It has an approximately
3 1/2 power telescope, and a sighting tube for shooting terrestrial objects. The adjustable rising piece allows moving the
telescope towards or away from the frame making the horizon more distinct under varying light conditions. The bronze arc has a Sliver insert that is calibrated -5 to +155 degrees with a
vernier that reads from the right, from 0 to 10 arc seconds. The Serial Number is engraved on the left lower of the arc and
just above an old style “Sun Shooter“ logo as on earlier designs of this make. The sextant has four index shades
and three horizon shades.
NOTE: A quintant has a range of arc of 144° compared to a sextant
which reads to 120°. This was helpful in measuring Lunar Distances, which was a means of determining longitude without
a chronometer.
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Horizon Mirror and three shades
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Index Mirror and four shades
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Vernier reading from
the right, 0 to 10 arc sec
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CONDITION: Irrespective of its
age, this quintant shows very little use and is in exceptionally fine condition. The index mirror has some of the reflective
surface missing at the top left and bottom left which is out of the field of view and a few hairline cracks of no consequence.
The viewing surface however, is clear and sharp. The horizon mirror is in mostly good condition with a slight loss where
it joins the clear portion of th glass. Both sets of shades (filters) are perfect. There is no mirror adjustment tool or screw
driver and the collimation scope is missing as well. A small piece of frosted glass is missing from the holder above the vernier's
scale.
THE CASE: The instrument is housed in a tongue and groove, flaming Mahogany case with spectacular grain that is absolutely
beautiful. On the back inside top cover is an oval plate with the address Hamburg, over 25 Stubbenhuk 25 surrounded by a fancy
border. No evidence exists that an instrument certificate was ever fitted to this case. Except for some scratches on its top
and bottom, is in excellent condition after being refinished to rid it of the years of accumulated varnish. The green felt
lining shows wear and minor water stains. The
telescope filter not seen in the case are mounted on the scope. The cleat which holds the instrument's handle has been
repaired.
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Housed in a sturdy flaming wood
case
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This is the only example
of this early model brass frame Plath quintant we have seen. They are not even pictured in museum collections such as those
at Greenwich, England. It will make a rare addition to an important collection or as a gift of importance.
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Inside of flaming Mahogany hardwood
case
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OUR QUALIFICATIONS:
We are one of the few people selling navigation instruments that know anything about them. For purposes of judging whether
Joel's opinion counts, he 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, 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 their sextants and the famous NC-2 navigation computer, in the U.S. market. Joel is
also a retired Master Upon Oceans, and held a U.S. Navy "D" Qualification as a Senior Skipper - Oceans. From 1995 through 2000, he served as a Varsity Offshore Sailing Team coach at the U.S.
Naval Academy.
This
instrument show the quality for which Plath was noted. Few of this model have survived and this one rates 5 Plus Stars.
EARLIEST
C. PLATH BRASS FRAME KNOWN SPECIFICATIONS:
QUINTANT / SEXTANT:
Telescope
3.5 power estm.
Sighting tube 0
Length of index arm 9 1/4"
Radius of Arc 7 1/2"
Width of Arc 10"
Index Mirror 47 mm x 32 mm
Horizon Mirror 21 mm x 30 mm
SEXTANT
WEIGHT 3 lbs 5 3/4 oz IN CASE 9 lbs 15 oz.
CASE 11 1/8" x 11 1/4" L x 5 3/8" W
This very special sextant is a perfect find for your collection or as a special gift.
FLAT
RATE SHIPPING to 48 contiguous States $59.50
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
if an error is due to our fault within the Continental United States.
International
buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied
customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, Republic of China, Czech
Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland,
Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Hebrides (Vanuatu),
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,
Vanuatu (New Hebrides) and the Eastern Caribbean.
STANDARD 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. Our prices are quoted net to us so that the use of credit cards or PayPal for lesser value items
incur extra charges. Terms on overseas sales may be different.
Copyright 2016 by
Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved
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