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To view our current inventory of premium grade, pre-owned, sextants, click here!
This Fine Instrument
Has Been Sold. Thank you!
NEVER USED C. PLATH
NAVISTAR CLASSIC SEXTANT Ca 1991
”TRANSFLEX” WHOLE
HORIZON MIRROR
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 have sold numerous examples of the Plath Navistar Classic and it derivatives,
including another 1991 version which has the rectangular horizon horizon mirror seen here with a whole horizon mirror. This
is only the second of these “last of the breed” Plath Classics that we have discovered. It is in brand new, never used, flawless "Collector Quality" condition. It was
previously owned by a medical doctor who intended to take a sabbatical to go to sea, but that never happened so it spent the
last twenty years in a closet. Our 5 Star rating status is an achievement for which only a few sextants can qualify. This
one goes beyond that to 5 Plus Stars.
The difference between this sextant and other Navistar Classics is that it is
fitted with huge mirrors, and the the horizon mirror is rectangular and a “Whole Horizon” type called Transflex
by Plath.
It is the 20th Navistar we've offered. 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 best, and should only appreciate in value.
CERTIFICATE OF ACCURACY: The original accuracy certificate
and manual come with this sextant. Somewhere along, C. Plath stopped dating them which is a shame for those of us who have
a historical interest in our work. However, over the years we have maintained a proprietary registry of Plath Serial numbers
by year of manufacture and are able to date this sextant as being made Ca 1991.
This Navistar Classic style was one of the last high quality models Plath introduced in 1990, just 11 years before
their sextant production ceased. Don't confuse this sextant with the Navistar TRADITIONAL or the ROYAL, which we previously
had for sale. This is only the second of the CLASSIC variant we have seen.
New,
and exclusive "state of the art" design features:
DESIGN FEATURES: This Navistar Classic is the equal of the Navistar
Royal in Plath's line of premium sextants, and was made in limited quantities to the same degree of non-adjustable instrument
error of 8 arc seconds, thereby putting it in the same class. Because it was a new design in 1990 with many advanced features,
it sold for more than other sextants. The visual clues are the flat index arm with diode lighting, and the special micrometer
drum with a rotating vernier, and Navistar brand imprint. The rotating vernier
has six indents and reads to 10 seconds of arc. You turn it to match the "0" point with the "0" on the micrometer drum so
that index error reads zero. It comes with its original detailed instruction booklet, with
Plath certification and the number 64272, but no date. C. Plath quit producing sextants around 2001. The parent company has completely liquidated everything
including machinery, equipment and spare parts.
PROVENANCE: Purchased new from Weems &
Plath in Annapolis, MD in 1990 by a medical doctor with a life long love of the sea, and with aspirations of doing some long
term ocean voyaging. Because of his commitment to his patients, this has never come to pass.
CONDITION: Brand new and never
used. It operates like a well oiled piece of machinery, and has NO faults even minor ones. Both
mirrors shows as NEW. The illumination works with new Duracell D357 batteries. The bronze arc shows "as new". There is no
index or side error. The original certificate is included with SN 64272. The case has a minor bruise on the top and a scratch
on the lid's top right front which have been touched-up in our shop. There are two keys included.
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Perfect
oversize index mirror | |
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Flawless
oversize whole horizon mirror | |
| Special micrometer, vernier & Navistar mark | |
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As only the second example of a C. Plath Navistar Classic sextant with a rectangular horizon mirror that we have ever seen, it is suitable
for a collector or for use at sea . It requires someone who can appreciate the uniqueness of this sextant, and is willing to pay for this level of quality and excellence
STAR RATING: This super fine Collector
Quality instrument rates FIVE PLUS STARS irrespective of age.
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Presentation
Grade Hi-Gloss Mahogany Case |
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COMPANY HISTORY: In brief, Carl
Plath started manufacturing sextants, in addition to other nautical products, in Hamburg Germany in 1862 though the purchase
of the David Filby instrument company 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. In the 1990's Plath came out with a series of new
sextant designs with overlapping designs and confusing names. They seemed to have lost their way. Shortly thereafter, C. Plath
quit producing sextants. The parent company has completely liquidated everything including machinery, equipment and spare
parts.
C. PLATH NAVISTAR CLASSIC FINAL VARIATION - SPECIFICATIONS:
Measuring range -5 to 125 degrees
Tested accuracy 10 arc seconds
Telescope:
4 x 40 Coated optics
Frame: Bronze with black enamel paint and bronze arc.
Micrometer Drum and Vernier Scale:
reads to 10 seconds of arc. Index arm measures 8 15/16”
Index Mirror: 60 x 44.5 mm. aluminized on front side.
Horizon Mirror: 57mm diameter whole horizon
view
Shades:
3 for index mirror
3 for horizon mirror
Adjustable vernier for zero index error
Illumination:
Yes
Weight sextant: 3.5 lbs, Weight case 10.0 lbs. Total weight 13. 5
INCLUDED ARE:
1 Sextant ladder style frame
1
4 x 40 Star Scope
1 Mirror adjustment tool
1 Brush
1 Deluxe Presentation lacquered sextant case
1. Cleaning cloth
1
Original owner's manual and certificate
2 Keys
STAR RATING: This
fine Collector Quality instrument rates 5 PLUS STARS
 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, 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, past and present, 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.STANDARD FLAT RATE SHIPPING, INSURANCE & PACKING to 48
contiguous States, $40.00
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 within the Continental United States.
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 20th Navistar Classic or one of its variations that 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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