GUARANTEED 5 PLUS STARS
The condition of this superb sextant is outstanding.
It is just waiting to go back to sea and where it can be put back to use. It also is perfect for a serious student because
of its large size mirrors and light weight.
We are pleased to offer a certified Freigberger sextant,
Serial No.792811 with matching certificate dated 29 OCT 1979. The sextant is in excellent, “never used” condition,
with no evidence of use.
There is no tarnishing of its paint, both its index
and horizon mirror are unblemished and it is an outstanding example of a Freiberger. The matching inspection
certificate reports, errors of under 10 seconds of arc over its useable range that for practical purposes makes the sextant
free of error.
PROVENANCE: It was purchased nearly
30 years ago, new, in East Germany by a master mariner who brought it back to the States. Shortly thereafter it was sold to its
last owner who intended to learn Celestial Navigation, and use it in offshore passages, but GPS took its place. For nearly
27 years it sat on a shelf in the Nevada desert which accounts for its perfect condition.
FEATURES: All Freiberger sextants
are fitted with Carl Zeiss lenses. We have been asked what “Trommel” means in describing this brand sextant. Trommel
in German means barrel or drum which describes the tangent screw housing. It is not a separate model.
CONDITION: Overall
condition is “as new”. Adjustable index error, 1 min “on the arc” with a smidgen of side error which is a good thing.
Index arm clamps, open and close freely. Index arm moves easily, Micrometer drum knurled knob turns freely. Like many sextants,
the vernier reads to one arc minute, but may be estimated visually in tenths. The scopes ocular adjustment turns freely. Mirrors
are perpendicular to frame. Both mirrors are in like new condition. The case has a couple of very minor blemishes
which are hardly noticeable. Two keys are included. The sextant’s paint is as new.
RANKS 5 PLUS STARS!
OUR UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days
of receipt in its original condition and packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. A prior email authorization
by us for the return is required. Unfortunately, no refund can be made for the cost of shipping, packaging and handling.
OUR QUALIFICATIONS:
We are one of the few company’s still selling navigation instruments that know anything about them. For purposes of judging whether Joel’s opinion counts, he was the editor
of the chapter on sextants of the 1977 Edition of “Bowditch”, The American Practical Navigator, NAVPUB 9; a member of the
U.S. Naval Academy Navigation Symposium Board, 1975 -1978; the author of a book on marine sextants, Cornell Maritime Press,1975,
and the founding president of Nautech Maritime Corporation which partnered with Tamaya of Japan in the introduction of the
MS 733 Spica, the MS 833, Jupiter, MS 933 Venus sextants and the famous NC-2 navigation computer, in the U.S. market. Joel
is also a retired Master Mariner, and held a U.S. Navy “D” Qualification as a Senior Skipper – Oceans.
From 1995 through 2000, he served as a Varsity Offshore Sailing Team coach at the U.S. Naval Academy.
HISTORY: Freiberger Präzision Mechanik (FPM) is based in Saxony, Germany.
It has a long and impressive history. Originally founded in 1791 FPM has produced instruments for Astronomical and mine navigation
as well as mine, geological and land surveying for almost as many years as the United States of America is old. In 1965 FPM became a satellite factory for VEB Carl Zeiss
Jena and was the sole manufacturer of all levels, compasses and sextants. In 1990 following the reunification of Germany the
Jena Surveying Instrument factory at Göschwitz was closed by Carl Zeiss Oberkochen. However, the Freiberg company was able
to continue the production of these fine German-Made instruments under their own name as a publicly owned company.
Freiberger sextants are well thought of in the European and Asian Merchant
Marine and have become more and more popular in this country. They also were the basis of the Russian marine CHO-T sextant
design. You will likely see some cruise ships that come up in a Google search, that show them as part of their ship’s
inventory. If you are a small boat navigator keep the enclosed tangent screw free of salt water and lubricated with WD-40
or Vaseline, and you will have no problems. You will welcome their light weight and full size mirrors compared to
other more expensive instruments.
FREIBERGER Drum Sextant SPECIFICATIONS:
Measuring Range:-5 to 125 degrees
Telescopes:
3.5 x 40mm: Coated optics
Frame: Lightweight die cast aluminum alloy with corrosion resistant light gray
finish. Bronze arc.
Vernier Scale: reads to 1.0 min. Visually estimates to 1/10 min
Index Mirror: 56
x 42 mm. aluminized on the rear side.
Horizon Mirror: 57mm diameter.
Shades:
4 for index mirror
3
for horizon mirror
Weight:
3lbs, 8.5 lbs in case
Carrying case: Varnished Mahogany case with placard with 2 keys
INCLUDED ARE:
1 Freiberg Marine Drum Sextant frame
1 4 x 40 Scope
1 Mirror adjustment wrench
1 Screw driver
1 Varnished wood sextant case
2 keys
Certificate of Inspection
Original owner’s manual
For those seeking more information about the modern marine sextant
I suggest they get a copy of a book written in 1975, now out-of-print. The Myths
& the Truth about Selecting a Marine Sextant. Cambridge MD: Cornell Maritime Press, 1975. 44pp, 10 illustrations. Topics
include scope power, mirrors, shade glasses, theoretical brightness, accuracy, workmanship, accuracy, comparison of specifications. It
is available at the University Library, all locations, of The California State University for free.
