PRESENTED is a very fine antique English sextant by a well known maker, Norie & Wilson, and with a rather unique feature. Almost all of the brass & bronze instruments have arcs with silver inserts. This one has an ivory arc insert. Ivory arc inserts were common in ebony and mahogany instruments, but we’ve only been able to find two examples of ivory inserts in bronze pieces: one by Janet Taylor and one by a french maker, Leon Dubas. This rather unusual feature makes this particular instrument an interesting and rare collectible.

 

History of J.W. Norie: John William Norie (1772-1843), a mathematician, hydrographer, chart maker and publisher of nautical books, was most famous for his Epitome of Practical Navigation (1805), which became a standard work on navigation and went through many editions, as did many of Norie's works. His known navigation instruments are few, and normally found in museums such as the British National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, and the USS Constitution Museum in Boston.

 

Norie began his career working with William Heather, who had in 1765 taken over chart publishers Mount and Page, and who ran the Naval Academy and Naval Warehouse in Leadenhall Street from 1795; the Naval Warehouse provided navigational instruments, charts, and books on navigation. Norie took over the Naval Warehouse after Heather's retirement and founded the company J.W. Norie and Company in 1813. After Norie's death, the company became Norie and Wilson, then in 1903, Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson. They continue in business as chart makers and were based in London until 1939, and are now headquartered in St Ives in Cambridgeshire.

The quality of the machining and beautifully crafted bronze frame indicate this instrument was made by an advanced instrument maker, one who would stand at the top of his trade. It has been polished and lacquered to emphasize its beauty and importance as a piece of navigation history.

 

 

CONDITION: The instrument is in excellent condition. The graduated arc, and all its hardware are present. All three bronze legs are original. All shades are in perfect condition, and the sighting tube and scope are present. The index mirror is in very good condition for its age with minor discoloration. The nicely finished fine wood case has a pleasing patina and is original to the instrument. It shows the expected marks of age.

Norie & Wilson, London                   Horizon Mirror

MARKINGS: The arc is inscribed Norie & Wilson, London and the ivory arc insert reads -5 to 115 in five degree increments. The vernier reads from the right from 0 to 20 minutes in five minute increments.

DATING THE INSTRUMENT: The instrument dates after the death of J W Norie 1843 when the company merged with Wilson to become Norie & Wilson.

DIMENSIONS: 

• Arc reads - -5 to -115
• Length of index arm  9 3/4"
• Width of frame at arc  8 3/4" wide
• Six shade glasses
• Weight of Saxtant   2 Lbs  11 oz.
• Case Dimensions and total weight: 10 3/4” x 9 1/4” x 5”, Wt . 6 Lbs. 5 oz.

Case

 

SHIPPING & INSURED PACKING by FedEx Ground to the 48 contiguous States, $65.00

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.

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 are prices our quoted net to us so that the use of credit cards or PayPal incur extra charges. Terms on overseas sales may be different. 

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