Antique sextan by Heath & Co Ltd, Crayford, London.

ANTIQUE SEXTANT. No.31

Antique sextant by Heath & Co Ltd, Crayford, London.

A late 19th century navigators Sextant with the classic 'three ring' frame design. Beautifully hand engraved on the arc Heath & Co Ltd, New Crayford, London.

The silver scale is engraved from -5 degrees to 155 degrees and can measure angles up to 132 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: 7 inch / 18 cm.

Height of Sextant: 9.25 inches / 23.5 cm

It is contained within its original fitted hardwood box. It is complete with - three telescopes, 1 x telescope sun filter and mirror adjusting tool.

This antique celestial navigation instrument is in good condition considering it is over 75 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.

Heath & Co was founded by George Heath in 1845. In 1863 George Heath took his son George Wilson Heath into an apprenticeship which was completed in 1870, two years later his son became proprietor of the business. In 1882 the firm was reconstituted as a limited liability company and became Heath & Co Ltd. George Wilson Heath built two factories at Crayford and New Eltham to cope with the firm’s growing requirements. He specialized in the design and manufacture of navigational instruments.

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.

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.