This professional navigation instrument is a C. Plath maker-marked, standard ‘ladder’ pattern sextant, serial # 27803 produced in Hamburg, Germany prior to World War Two. Carl Plath started his firm in Hamburg in 1862 and continued the manufacture of quality sextants up and through the Second World War. The firm was shut down after the war but was allowed to re-emerge in the 1950s. The name ‘sextant’ comes from the extent of its limb that is the sixth part of a circle. The main use of a sextant is to determine the angle between a celestial object and the base horizon, which defines the object’s altitude. The arc portion of this marine sextant is graduated into degrees from right to left, starting from 0 to 120. With a sextant, knowledge of the time and date with valid charts allows a navigator to determine his latitude or position on the surface of the earth or on the open seas. The sextant is a double reflection instrument used to measure the angle between any two visible objects.

This older model Plath instrument wears a light coat of surface grime overall but is still in very good condition. Sextant retains its major components including the frame, mirrors, micrometer assembly, monocular and scope that are intact and functional. Also comes with its original, maker-marked lockable hardwood case in excellent condition. Box key however is missing. Sextant metal frame is painted a flat black and is in very good condition with almost no wear or chipping. Index arm with its micrometer assembly shows normal light surface edge flaking.

The 120” arc is a polished brass / bronze alloy set with black graduations on the surface. “C. PLATH / HAMBURG” stamped on the arc’s left edge while its serial #27803 stamped on the right edge. Brass has a mellow bronze patina and little sign of wear. Index mirror, circular split horizon mirror, four index shades and the three horizon shades are dusty but in fine condition. Micrometer thimble and drum are polished aluminum with black graduation marks. Additional components include a screw-in magnifying glass, a large monocular (unknown power), a large scope (unknown power), and a set of five, unused horizon mirrors. Sextant handle is of the older brown Bakelite material with a hollow back. Has no integral battery or lighting device nor does it retain the original paper certificate on the inside of box. This is a fine, professional nautical instrument at a good price.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!