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

sextant and case

INSTRUMENTS - SEXTANTS
Spencer, Browning & Rust
England, London; USA, MA, New Bedford
1784-1840
radius 8-3/4 in.; case 5-3/8 x 10-3/4 x 13-1/8 in.

Sextant, blackened brass frame; polished brass limb engraved "Spencer Browning & Rust, London." and "2428"; silver scale graduated -5 deg. to +145 deg. by 1 deg., subdivided to 15'; reinforced black brass index arm w/swinging magnifier; silver vernier; adjustable index mirror w/4 fixed shades; adjustable horizon glass w/3 fixed circular shades; sight vane for telescope; fixed wooden handle; wood keystone box equipped w/3 shade tubes (3 1/4"l., 3 1/4" l., 3 3/4" l.), one telescope w/crosshairs (7" l.), 1 eye piece (1/2" h.), 1 screwdriver, 1 key for box; label glued to inside of lid, incorporates illustration of sailor standing on shore, holding an instrument, with a ship and small vessels in distance; label reads "C.R. SHERMAN & CO./ DEALERS IN/ MATHEMATICAL, OPTICAL &/ Nautical Instruments, Charts,/ AND NAUTICAL STATIONERY,/ 49 NORTH WATER ST. NEW BEDFORD./ All kinds of Nautical Instruments carefully repaired and practically adjusted. / Charles R. Sherman Wendell Macy"; name Wendell Macy was partner 1866-1872 (see C. R. Sherman & Co.).

1977.145