NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
From: Brendan Kinch
Date: 2014 Jan 17, 15:04 +0100
Three photos attached…..this is a sextant from about 1895 – 1900 as best I can tell. Note however that it is now painted in grey and I have a paper receipt for repairs in Belfast for 1943. I suspect that it crossed the Atlantic (to new owner) several times….made in UK, owned and used during 2nd world war by U.S. navy personnel (I am guessing that because there is also a photo in the box showing U.S. naval officers and the fact that has been painted grey) and I bought it from the States and have it now in Spain.
Interesting in that it is not a common frame design (listed as ‘Elegant pattern’ and also a rare Ivory handle.
I had a look at it again as I took it out for the photos and although I have no horizon from the back yard I suspect that using the binoculars were only to assist in getting the horizon defined better in the mind’s eye (as well as visually) just immediately before taking the sight. To take the sight with any horizon shade in use it must be with one eye only….the outer (left) part of the binoculars miss the horizon glass altogether and therefore will not benefit from any horizon shade being used.
Kinch.
From: Brendan Kinch [mailto:BrenKinch@GMail.com]
Sent: 17 January 2014 02:32
To: 'NavList@fer3.com'
Subject: RE: [NavList] Re: Chasing Shackleton
I have a Sewill sextant from about 1895 with binoculars. I’ll post some pictures in the coming days.
Kinch.
From: NavList@fer3.com [mailto:NavList@fer3.com] On Behalf Of Stan K
Sent: 17 January 2014 01:38
To: BrenKinch@gmail.com
Subject: [NavList] Re: Chasing Shackleton
It did not. I don't think I've ever seen the binocular attachment. Is there a picture somewhere?
-----Original Message-----
From: Brad Morris <bradley.r.morris---.com>
To: slk1000 <slk1000---.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 16, 2014 5:38 pm
Subject: [NavList] Re: Chasing Shackleton
Whoops! Right Stan, I've got sextant on the brain. Boxed chronometer, got it!
Did your model come with the binocular attachment as well?
On Jan 16, 2014 5:02 PM, "Stan K" <slk1000---.com> wrote:
Brad,
Mine has an odd set of scopes:
1) 3x30 non-inverting star scope (actually very nice)
2) 6x19 inverting, with a tic-tac-toe board set of four "crosshairs"
3) 12x19 inverting, with a pair of parallel "crosshairs"
4) zero magnification sight tube
I can't imagine what 2 and 3 are used for. Calibration perhaps?
By "boxed sextant" I assume you meant "boxed chronometer". On the program there is the pocket chronometer swinging in the breeze rather than being inside a shirt that was previously mentioned.
Stan
-----Original Message-----
From: Brad Morris <bradley.r.morris---.com>
To: slk1000 <slk1000---.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 16, 2014 4:17 pm
Subject: [NavList] Re: Chasing Shackleton
Stan
You've got to love the star scope that comes with it. Enormous optics. And nearly all of the scopes (not the star scope tho) come with internal cross hairs.
Note that Worsley's chronometer is in that flickr photo too. Not the boxed sextant as shown in the Chasing Shackleton program.
Brad
On Jan 16, 2014 3:42 PM, "Stan K" <slk1000---.com> wrote:
Brad,
In one view I thought I saw the side-to-side clamping mechanism, with "buttons", that my Hezzanith has. That, and the three ring frame (which other brands use, though) still leads me to believe it was a more current micrometer drum Heath sextant.
Looking a a photo of Worsley's sextant at http://www.flickr.com/photos/markbrandon/7220573974/, though not at the best angle, it appears to be essentially identical to mine, which is of the right vintage. Mine is in great condition, with all parts. Frank got to try it last summer.
Stan
-----Original Message-----
From: Brad Morris <bradley.r.morris---.com>
To: slk1000 <slk1000---.com>
Sent: Thu, Jan 16, 2014 2:42 pm
Subject: [NavList] Re: Chasing Shackleton
Hi Stan
They may be using the hezzanith mechanism, but as to the comparison between it and the one Worsley used, there is none.
That sextant had top of the line features, some patented. Some hard to use, like the binoculars that attach to the frame, for that whole horizon view. The sextant in the show appears quite ordinary.
The hezzanith feature refers to the endless tangent screw with automatic clamp. In other words, you could move the index arm about freely with the screw unclamped and then finely adjust with the screw clamped. This is just one of the patented features.
Brad
On Jan 16, 2014 2:18 PM, "Stan K" <slk1000---.com> wrote:
I'm watching Part 2 right now. This time they got the photograph of Worsley going the right way. I take note that they are "cheating". The sextant they are using does appear to be a Hezzanith, but it is a micrometer drum type, not a vernier type.
FWIW, I have a 1905 Hezzanith vernier sextant, and I cannot figure out what continent I am on with it. Micrometer drums sure are easier.
Stan
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