This Extra Fine Example Has Been Sold. Thank you! PRESENTATION GRADE WW II U.S. NAVY MK II  SEXTANT    Presented is one of the finest U.S. Navy MK II sextants that we have ever seen. It compares favorably to the MK II that we sold in 2007 that was modified by Scientific Instruments in 1975, with a larger scope of greater light gathering power for night sights. This one has the rarely seen adjustable Polaroid shades that cover the entire range from dark Grey to light filtration. Like all MK II's, the arc reads to 145 degrees, which was standard for this design, making it more properly a quintant. The long serving design of the Navy MK II follows closely that of the Brandis instruments which date back to the Civil War period. See http://landandseacollection.com/id858.html Both instruments were made by David White Company of Milwaukee. This instrument was made in 1944, and bears Serial Number 23067 adjacent to the Naval Observatory cartouche of acceptance. Both sextants have the more expensive machined index arm rather than the stamped arm found on many MK II's. See http://landandseacollection.com/id334.html Listed are one of a kind design features, that are not present in the standard U.S. Navy MK II: Two adjustable Polaroid shades (filters) Polished stainless steel hardware and fittings Polished and varnished bronze legs, arc, rising piece knob, and more Non adjustable instrument error of less than 20 arc seconds Custom Plywood case with hidden tongue grove corners           Micrometer and Vernier   Rising piece, tangent screw, thumb screw CONDITION: The sextant is in exceptional condition for its age. It shows very little evidence of use with that being some loss of varnish on the rising piece knob, and the same in the central leg on its flange. About 98% of the original varnish remains. The paint is near perfect and the screws bright. Both fitted mirrors are in excellent condition with only one tiny Grey dot on the index mirror adjacent to the frame's holder. The certificate is dated February 22, 1945 and shows a range of errors between 5 and 22 degrees which is pretty much what you might find in a contemporary Plath or Tamaya.  The case is made of marine grade plywood with unusual hidden tongue and groove construction. It is in like new condition except for the normal scuff marks to the wood and the minor imperfections noted which show the instrument saw service at sea. Almost all its accessories which include two screw drivers and a large mirror adjustment wrench are present, but it is missing a spare index mirror and key. U.S. NAVY MK II SPECIFICATIONS: Measuring Range: -5 to 145 degrees Accuracy: Tested to +/- 20 arc seconds Telescope: 3 x 26 mm Coated optics Frame: Aluminum with black enamel paint and white numbers Arc: Bronze Micrometer Drum and Vernier Scale: reads to 6 arc seconds Index Mirror: 44 x 34 mm Horizon Mirror: 28 x 21 mm  Shades: Adjustable Polaroid for index mirror from light to dark Grey Adjustable Polaroid for horizon mirror from light to dark Grey Illumination: None fitted Weight sextant: 2 Lbs 10 3/4 Oz's Case 11 1/2" X 11" X 5 1/2"   Weight in case 7 Lbs 4 oz. INCLUDED ARE: 1 Sextant frame 1 3 x 26 mm telescope 2 screw drivers 1 adjustment wrench  1 Certificate of inspection           Varnished brass fittings            Adjustable Polaroid filter            One Grey dot on horizon mirror           Near perfect index mirror BRIEF HISTORY OF DAVID WHITE: David White did a lot of military work during WW2 and was one of the principal manufacturers of Navy MK II  sextants along with the Pioneer Division of Bendix Aviation and Ajax Engineering Co. After the War, David White was not able to adjust to a normal business economy and did not develop substitute products. Consequently, they were forced to down size as the markets changed to peace time production.  Their work force was a ready pool of talent available to SII.  In 1958 or earlier, Scientific Instruments, also of Milwaukee, purchased the inventory of MK II parts, as well as several pieces of machinery including a collimator from David White, and hired some of their employees. Scientific Instruments never built the Mk II, but did manufacture various spare parts and did repairs over the years. They picked up on the heritage of their neighbor, and became a government contractor on the Navy's successor sextant the MK III. See our example of a 1916 Navy Brandis which is for sale. http://landandseacollection.com/id833.html This is fine sextant in excellent condition and is backed by our No Nonsense Guarantee of satisfaction.  DOES OUR OPINION COUNT: We are one of the few company's still selling navigation instruments that know anything about them or have actually relied on them at sea. For purposes of judging whether my opinion counts, Joel 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. He is also a retired Master Upon Oceans, and held a U.S. Navy "D" Qualification as a Senior Skipper - Oceans. From 1995 until 2001, Joel served as a Varsity Offshore Coach at the U.S. Naval Academy. FLT RATE SHIPPING to 48 contiguous States $20.00. OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase, it may be returned, if without damage, within five days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. A prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer within the continental United States and are refundable if due to our error. International buyers welcome, but must inquire first. You are responsible for knowing your country's import laws covering edged weapons. 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, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, 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. Our prices are quoted net to seller, but credit cards may be accepted through PayPal for verified members by special arrangement. Copyright 2012 Land And Sea Collection™. All Rights Reserved!