Antique Royal Navy Sextant by Cary, London. Engraved C.D. Bury. R.N.

ANTIQUE SEXTANT. No.26

Antique Sextant by Cary, London.

A fine late -19th century Royal Navy / British Admiralty navigators Sextant with the classic Cary 'T' frame design, engraved on the arc Cary, London. The box escutcheon is engraved with the owners name C. D. Bury, R.N. (Royal Navy)

This Sextant belonged to Claude Denzil Bury who was Commander of H.M.S. Landrail, you can read an interesting story about him here

The Sextant was invented by Admiral John Campbell in 1757 after he discovered that the Octant was unable to measure angles large enough for Lunar distances ( Distance between Moon, Sun or Stars ) so he increased the 90 degree angle of the Octant to 120 degrees which formed the Sextant. He then engaged the nautical instrument maker John Bird to construct the first Sextant in 1759.

The Sextant gets its name from the Latin word for 'a sixth' because it is a sixth of a circle (60 degrees) and can measures angles of up to 120 degrees.

The silver scale is engraved from -5 degrees to 168 degrees and can measure angles up to 142 degrees, the scale is divided into 10 minute increments. The index arm has swinging scale magnifier and the silver Vernier scale reads from 0 to 10 seconds of arc.

Sextant Radius: 6.5 inch / 15cm.

Height of Sextant frame: 8.75 inches / 22cm

Width of Sextant frame:

Box measures: 10x10 inches / 25x25 cm

It is contained within its original fitted hardwood storage box. It comes with - Two telescopes, 1 x telescope sun filter and mirror adjusting tool. (There is one eyepiece filter and one telecope eyepiece missing from the box.)

This antique celestial navigation instrument is in superb condition considering it is over 120 years old. It is beautifully engineered and made using word class engineering skills, British navigational instrument makers were reputed to have made the best and most accurate instruments in the world.

The Cary family were legendary in the British scientific instrument trade, beginning with John Cary (I) in 1782 who started his career as an engraver and globe maker on Fleet Street. In the late 1700's he partnered with his brother, William, an apprentice of the famed Jesse Ramsden. They went on to produce all manner of the finest quality scientific and navigational instruments. The firm continued under the Cary name at their Strand, London address until 1890.

Clipper Maritime Antiques specialises in antique navigation instruments. We offer a wide selection of top quality antique Sextant’s, Quintant’s and Octant’s, prices range from £300 to over £1000.

Price on request: Please Email us your enquiry or if you would like any help or advice about choosing an antique celestial navigation instrument.