Sextant made by J. Prentice, New York, Norris and Peters patent November 24, 1857

sextant

INSTRUMENTS - SEXTANTS
Prentice, J.
USA, NY, New York
After November 24, 1857
0 x 12.00 x 0

Unusual vernier sextant; with artificial pendulum horizon [Ref: Willem Morzer Bruyns, July 2006]. See corres. file for more info. Iron frame, brass arm and arc. Arc marked: "J. PRENTICE MAKER, NEW YORK". At the opening of the pendulum encasement: "NORRIS AND PETERS PATENTED NOV. 24, 1857/ NO. 51" engraved, filled in with red. D. Brierley (6/18/74): Pendulum sextant; early attempt in trying to improve sextant that was not very satisfactory. It aided user when sea horizon was not visible. Two brass handles, when squeezed together, freed pendulum to establish vertical reference. [Ref: Willem Morzer Bruyns, July 2006: Graduation 90°-0° in actual degrees. For Robert Norris & Frederick Peters’ patent see Peter Ifland, Taking the Stars. Celestial Navigation from Argonauts to Astronauts.(Malabar, 1998) p.107).] Curatorial note: This sextant, source unknown, was possibly accessioned as 1938.301, later renumbered, per C. White; description of that missing object minimal but does state "unusual type."

1971.293