Octant, circa 1770

octant

Octant circa 1770; ebony with brass fittings. Pencil missing. No maker's name, but case label bears name Samuel Thaxter... 125 State Street Boston. Reexamined 10/27/66: inside box is clipping which states instrument was owned by Timothy Toler, 27 Dean Ave, 1742, in England. Label, as above, is a Boston dealer, repairer and maker. It has no handle as did later ones; no equipment to take back sights. Has ivory scale, vernier and maker's plate, good mirror, brass and ivory arc. Double peep in sight.