FINEST QUALITY ANTIQUE AMERICAN ARTIFICIAL HORIZON by FAUTH & Co., Washington. D.C.   Copyright 2006 by Land And Sea Collection, All Rights Reserved Presented is a beautifully made artificial horizon that dates from around the last quarter of the 19th Century. It was made by Fauth & Co., of Washington D.C. a maker of all types of instruments and telescopes, for service by the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey and other users. Examples of their instruments are displayed by the Smithsonian. This type of device which has a steel tub to hold the mercury which was used as a reflecting surface and a glass faced hood to minimize wind, is an advanced design which is still being made today, using plastic rather than the brass and steel as in this example's construction. The can which was used to hold the mercury has evidence of its use inside. It has a steel plug and pouring spout.   Reflective artificial horizons date all the way back to about the 1730's and are still in use today as a training aid, but more importantly for dry land navigation.   The early designs were based on the idea that liquid would self level and form a natural horizon. But that requires a liquid with a good reflective surface that was placed in a pan large enough to not have surface friction along its edges. One of the best reflective surfaces of the time was mercury, though oil, water. and molasses could be used. Some of these devices could be quite complex because the liquid might be captured in a separate chamber when not in use, and had to be enclosed so as not to be disturbed by the wind.                         Maker's imprint                 Housed in very compact Case                Basin for mercury                   Bronze windshield CONDITION: This beautiful instrument is housed in a dovetail, what appears to be teak wood case whose top has three circular, but beautiful age cracks. There is a corner piece of wood missing from the its bottom. Otherwise, it is in excellent overall condition. The instrument it self is in "like new" condition except for some paint that has flaked off with the passing of time. Overall, it may be considered a superb piece of the highest quality without exception.     DIMENSIONS: Teak Case       7 3/4" L x 6 1/2" W x 4 3/4" H          2lbs 4 oz Horizon tub       5 3/4" L x 3 1/2" W x 1 3/8" H          2 lbs 8 oz Can                   3 1/2" L x  2 3/4" Dia                         1 lbs  8 oz   Total Weight     6 lbs 4 oz   HISTORY: Fauth & Co. started business making transits, theodilites, and nautical instruments in Washington, D.C. in 1874 and its products were of the highest precision and quality. One of the founders, George Nicholas Saegmuller (1847–1934) was born in Bavaria and educated at the Polytechnic School in Nuremberg. He moved to England in 1865 to work as a draftsman for Thomas Cooke & Sons. In 1870, after serving a brief stint in the German army, Saegmuller moved to Washington, D.C., to work for William Würdemann. He became chief of the Instrument Shop of the United States Coast Survey in 1874. That same year he joined with his brothers-in-law, Camill Fauth and Henry Lockwood, to form Fauth & Co. In 1887, when Fauth retired, Saegmuller became manager and sole proprietor of the firm. Although Saegmuller began trading under his own name in 1892, offering "All kinds of Fixed and Portable Astronomical and the higher grades of engineering Instruments," he continued labeling his instruments Fauth until 1905, when the company's operations were acquired by Bausch & Lomb and were moved to Rochester, N.Y. Seagmuller, continued with the company. He also held patents for military instruments, his best known was the bore sight, but "with the assistance of Admiral Sampson during WWI, he invented what were then modern telescope sights for the Navy and the range-finder". His scientific and inventive abilities benefited our military for decades. George Nicholas Saegmuller,  inventor, public leader, educator, philanthropist, and family man, died in Arlington, Virginia on February 12, 1934.   OUR UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original condition and packaging. Returns must be insured for their full value. All that is required is a prior email authorization by us for the return. Unfortunately, no refund can be made for the cost of shipping, packaging and handling. International buyers welcome, but inquire first.  We have satisfied customers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean. SHIPPING & PACKING: The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination, will be calculated after the auction and is an additional charge. You may email us before bidding to get these costs. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling. Buy this very special antique artificial horizon Now! What a great find for that special collection that includes only the finest and most noteworthy. Copyright 2006 by Land And Sea Collection, All Rights Reserved