Octant made by Spencer, Browning & Rust, London (and case)

octant and case

INSTRUMENTS - OCTANTS
Spencer, Browning & Rust
England, London
1784-1840
LOA 11-3/4 in.; radius approx 10-1/2 in.

Ebony octant, with brass fittings & index arm. Arc & vernier made of ivory (slightly damaged). Maker's initials "SBR" (Spencer Browning & Rust, London) in script on arc between 50 & 55 degrees. Arc graduated from -2 deg. to 107 deg., divided to 20 minutes. Vernier (broken) reads, right to left, 0 to 20 minutes in 1 minute increments. Maker's name plate missing from bridge. Octant equipped with double peep sight w/attached sun shade & 3 index shades. Also horizon glass adjusting knob on underside of octant for index correction. Octant rests in original (?) keystone case, slightly damaged. Box LOA 12 3/4"; height 4"; radius 12 3/4".

1988.23.5