Octant and case, made by R. Millar, Leith

octant and case

INSTRUMENTS - OCTANTS
Millar, Richard
England, London; USA, MA, Boston; Britain, Scotland, Edinburgh
Octant radius 12-3/4 in.; case LOA 12-3/4 x H. 4 n.

Ebony octant with /brass fittings & index arm. Arc & vernier made of ivory. Arc graduated from -3 deg. to 108 deg. Vernier reads, right to left, 0-20 (minutes?). Maker's name plate, made of ivory, on bridge: "R MILLAR LEITH". (Probably Richard Millar who died in 1860 at Edinburgh (Leith) ). Octant equipped with double sight & 3 index shades. Also horizon glass & adjusting knob on underside of octant for index correction. (?) Octant rests in original (?) keystone box, damaged, w/2 advertising labels - one from S. Thaxter & Son, Boston and the other from Spencer, Browning & Co., London (late Spencer, Browning & Rust) - on inside of lid. Box LOA 12 3/4"; height 4"; radius 12 3/4" approx.

1988.83.1