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To see our current inventory of high quality premium sextants, click here!
This Fine Sextant Has Been Sold. Thank you!
LIKE NEW
C. PLATH NAVISTAR CLASSIC Ca 1978
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We are the premier source for all versions
of the Plath Navistar premium sextants and have sold more than any other dealer in the world!
We sold our last C. Plath
Navistar Royal sextant Christmas, 2010, and have just replaced it with a Navistar Classic in like new
condition. We only sell those that meet our standards for being in 5 Star Mint condition. These instruments were made in limited
quantities, are rare, hard to find, and very much in demand by discriminating collectors and maritime industry professionals
who still practice the art of celestial navigation.
This time we have one that has been owned by the same
person for almost 30 years and has never been used. It's perfect condition substantiates that claim.
There is an undated Plath instrument certificate with this
instrument, but no manual. We have tested it thoroughly and can guarantee it is in perfect condition with ZERO index error.
and only a smidgen of side error which is preferred. Based on our proprietary register of C. Plath instruments
we can also date it by its serial number 61603, as being made in 1978.
| Special micrometer & vernier | |
| Navistar imprint & serial
number | |
It has a Mahogany wood case with the older style black Bakelite claw grip
in operating condition. The index arm carries the Deutche Hydrographic Institute seal of approval which indicates this instrument was tested by DHI, and found to meet the more stringent standards
for commercial use. Hence, this sextant sold for more originally then the regular Navistar Classic.
Until the introduction of the Royal in 1990,
the Navistar Classic was the top of the Plath line and both were made in limited quantities. It and the Royal were made
with a guaranteed non-adjustable instrument error of 10 arc seconds or less. During most of it's production, it sold for a
premium over all Plath's other sextants. For example, almost 30 years ago, they sold for over $1000.00, and as recently
as 2001, the price had risen to $4000.00.
Don't confuse this model with
the similarly named “Navistar Professional“ which. in our opinion is the worst sextant made by Plath
or the “Navistar Traditional“ which was made shortly before sextant production ended. That
instrument has nonadjustable error up to 20 arc seconds.
NOTICE: There are dealers who are selling
a standard Plath Classic as a Navistar Classic to get a higher price. Here's how you can be sure to get what you are paying
for:
The true “Navistar Classic” can be identified by these clues:
- it has a special micrometer drum
- The Navistar brand imprint on the left arc.
- The vernier has six indents and reads to 10 seconds of arc.
- Comes with a fine wood case,
- Has an instruction booklet, and Plath's certification with matching numbers.
The higher grade Navistar's have the imprint of the Deutche
Hydrographic Institute dated 2/1/78 certifying them for commercial service. All these features are present with
this instrument except the instruction booklet.
PROVENANCE: This
instrument was formerly the property of a yachtsman who owned a Swan 37 back in the early 1980's, but who never
took up the study of celestial navigation. He just thought he should have a sextant that was equal in quality to
his Swan.
For the seven year period from
1978 through 1985 only 1693 Navistar Classics were made. That is only 211 per year to satisfy worldwide demand.
CONDITION: The split
image horizon mirror and the index mirror both are in “new condition“. The stainless and chrome fittings
are all bright and shiny. There no evidence of use of the sextant. The frame's paint is unblemished. The case has
a some minor scuff marks, and scratches on its bottom and a few elsewhere. The lighting works. The
connection has been helped by a shim to assure contact. This is true of most C. Plath sextants, and many have a nonworking
light. There is no manual. The original certificate of inspection is included, but undated. There is no index error
and only a smidgen of side error which is a good thing. It operates like a well oiled piece of machinery, and has no
mechanical faults.
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Housed in sturdy Mahogany case | |
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This C.
Plath Navistar Classic 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. It is suitable for a collector or for use at sea
.
STAR RATING: This fine Collector Quality instrument
rates 5 STARS
SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE GALLERY PHOTOS
 QUALIFICATIONS: We are one of the few company's still 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 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. Joel is a retired Master Mariner, and held a U.S. Navy "D" Qualification as a Senior Skipper - Oceans.
For six years he was a Varsity Offshore Sailing Team Coach at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Some of his memberships include the: Association of Naval Aviation, Silver Wings,
The Tailhook Association, Naval Academy Sailing Squadron, McCampbell's Aces Squadron, Naval Historical Foundation, and
the Naval Order of the United States.
COMPANY HISTORY: In brief, Carl Plath started manufacturing
sextants, in addition to other nautical products, in Hamburg Germany in 1862 though the company's origin dates back to 1837.
As a result WW II, C.Plath was dismantled completely by the occupation forces. Around 1950, various prohibitions
were lifted, and C. Plath was allowed to begin production again of sextants and other nautical instruments. Also in 1949,C.Plath
was offered a gyrocompass patent and in 1951 the first gyrocompass designed to this patent was presented to the public. C.Plath progressed
from the role of instrument maker to that of a modern marine navigation equipment manufacturer. In the following years the
product range was expanded by many more modern designs such as autopilots, speed logs, radio direction finders, etc.
In 1962 C.Plath was acquired by Litton Industries,
a large American concern.The C.Plath North American Division was set up in 1978 in College Park near Washington. 1996
saw the introduction of the world's first fiber-optic solid-state gyrocompass by C.Plath. The first ever gyrocompass with
no moving parts. Sperry Marine was formed in 1997 with the combination of C.Plath, Decca Marine and Sperry Marine with more
organizational changes yet to come. After 163 years, C.Plath changes its name to Sperry Marine in May 2000. In 2001 Sperry
Marine becomes part of the Northrop Grumman Corporation. Directly thereafter, C. Plath quit producing
sextants. The parent company has completely liquidated everything including machinery, equipment and spare parts.
C. PLATH NAVISTAR CLASSIC SPECIFICATIONS:
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Measuring Range: -5 to 125 degrees
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Telescope: 4 x 40 Coated optics
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Frame: Bronze with black enamel paint and bronze
arc.
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Micrometer Drum and Vernier Scale: reads to 10 seconds of
arc
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Index Mirror: 56 x 42 mm. aluminized on the rear side.
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Horizon Mirror: 57mm diameter.
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Shades:
4 for index mirror
3 for horizon mirror
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Weight sextant: 4.2 lbs, Weight case
6 lbs
INCLUDED ARE:
STANDARD FLAT RATE SHIPPING, INSURANCE & PACKING to 48
contiguous States, $25.00
OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied
with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items
must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges
are included in this offer if the error is due to our fault.
International buyers welcome,
but must 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, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama,
Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand,
Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.
ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, or
personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. No checks from overseas buyers, no credit cards or PayPal
accepted on this item.
This is the 14th Navistar we have offered
since 2003. In our opinion, they are the finest of the contemporary sextants. They will be equally desirable at sea or
in a collection of only the finest.
Copyright 2011 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved
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