Octant by Spencer, Browning & Rust, London, circa 1780-1790

octant

INSTRUMENTS - OCTANTS
Spencer, Browning & Rust
ENGLAND, London
circa 1780-1790
LOA arm 17 in.

Octant, ebony with flat brass index arm; nameplate missing; ivory scale graduated -2 degrees to +99 degrees; vernier with ivory scale; adjustable index mirror with 3 removable shades, horizon glass with lever adjustment and shades from index mirror, sight vane with double peep, back sight(?) missing; note plate and pencil missing; handwritten in pencil on back of index arm "CAPT JOSIAH[?] SPARROW CUMMINGS/ QUADRANT[sic.] USED ON BRIG [?]/ 1832", and on brace "GIFT TO [?] HISTORICAL SOCIETY", and on front where nameplate should be "CUMMINGS[?]". Purchased in honor Thomas J. Watson, Jr., 1992. Stamped on the scale SBR (between 45°-50°), made by Spencer, Browning & Rust, London, ca. 1780-1790.

UNIDENTIFIED brig
1992.107

Purchased in honor Thomas J. Watson, Jr., 1992.