Octant made by Matheson & Co., Leith, Scotland, after 1741

octant and case

INSTRUMENTS - OCTANTS
Matheson & Co.
Great Britain, Scotland, Leith
After 1741
LOA 11-3/4 in.; case 12-1/4 x 12 x 4-7/8 in.

Octant, Scottish, frame ebony, ivory nameplate marked "MATHESON & CO. LEITH". Scale engraved on inlaid ivory strip, graduated -4 deg. to 109 deg. and engraved ivory vernier scale screwed to bronze(?) reinforced index arm (ivory cracked). Index mirror, four shades, horizon glass and three shades. Sight vane for telescope with pivoted peep hole cover. Two screw-in telescope attachments. Fixed wooden handle. In mahogany keystone box, lid broken off hinges, varnish removed, paper label glued inside lid printed "ESTABLISHED 1741./ THE CROSS/ OPPOSITE THE POST OFFICE/ GLOUCESTER/ W.C. MANN,/ CHRONOMETER,/ Clock and Watch Manufacturer,/ GOLD AND SILVERSMITH, OPTICIAN &C./ SEXTANTS, QUADRANTS, BINOCULAR GLASSES, BAROMETERS, TELESCOPES, COMPASSES,/ Chronometers rated by direct communication/ from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. . ."

1974.470