This Fine Instrument Has Been Sold. Thank you!   EARLIEST Carl Plath, Hamburg BRONZE FRAME QUINTANT/SEXTANT OLDEST KNOWN Presentation Grade Quality!   Discovered is the earliest C. Plath, bronze frame, quintant we have ever heard of with a Serial Number of 4370 that is stamped on both its arc and on the instrument's case. It is 1689 serial numbers earlier than the lowest number that we have in our proprietary register of C. Plath, Hamburg serial numbers that have been logged since we have been recording them. Consequently, we date it as late 19th Century. C. Plath Hamburg is engraved on its arc in script which was the style of the mid 19th Century. It has recently been polished and lacquered which makes it perfect for presentation or as a very special gift. It has an approximately 3 1/2 power telescope, and a sighting tube for shooting terrestrial objects. The adjustable rising piece allows moving the telescope towards or away from the frame making the horizon more distinct under varying light conditions. The bronze arc has a Sliver insert that is calibrated -5 to +155 degrees with a vernier that reads from the right, from 0 to 10 arc seconds. The Serial Number is engraved on the left lower of the arc and just above an old style “Sun Shooter“ logo as on earlier designs of this make. The sextant has four index shades and three horizon shades.   NOTE: A quintant has a range of arc of 144° compared to a sextant which reads to 90°. This was helpful in measuring Lunar Distances, which was a means of determining longitude without a chronometer. Horizon Mirror and three shades Index Mirror and four shades Early style C. Plath tag Vernier reading from the right, 0 to 10 arc sec CONDITION: Irrespective of its age, this quintant is in exceptionally fine condition and shows very little use. The index mirror has some of the reflective surface missing at the top left and bottom left which is out of the field of view and a few hairline cracks of no consequence, but the viewing surface is clear and sharp. The horizon mirror is in mostly good condition with a slight loss where it joins the clear portion of th glass. Both sets of shades (filters) are perfect. There is no mirror adjustment tool or screw driver and the collimation scope is missing as well. THE CASE: The instrument is housed in a tongue and groove, flaming wood case with spectacular grain that is absolutely beautiful. On the back inside top cover is an oval plate with the address Hamburg, over 25 Stubbenhuk 25 surrounded by a fancy border. No evidence exists that an instrument certificate was ever fitted to this case. Except for some scratches on its top and bottom, is in excellent condition after being refinished to rid it of the years of accumulated varnish. The telescope filter not seen in the case are mounted on the scope.     Housed in a sturdy flaming wood case This is the only example of this early model brass frame Plath quintant we have seen. They are not even pictured in museum collections such as those at Greenwich, England. It will make a rare addition to an important collection or as a gift of importance. Magnificient flaming hardwood case OUR QUALIFICATIONS: We are one of the few 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, 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 their sextants and the famous NC-2 navigation computer, in the U.S. market. Joel is also a retired Master Upon Oceans, 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. This instrument show the quality for which Plath was noted. Few of this model have survived and this one rates 5 Plus Stars. EARLIEST C. PLATH BRASS FRAME KNOWN SPECIFICATIONS: QUINTANT / SEXTANT: Telescope 3.5 power Sighting tube 0 Length of index arm 9 1/4" Radius of Arc 7 1/2" Width of Arc 10" Index Mirror 47 mm x 32 mm Horizon Mirror 21 mm x 30 mm SEXTANT WEIGHT 3 lbs 5 3/4 oz IN CASE 9 lbs 1 5/8 oz CASE 11 1/8" x 11 1/4" L x 5 3/8" W FLAT RATE SHIPPING to 48 contiguous States $59.50 OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned within five days of receipt in its original packaging if without damage. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization from us for the return is required. Shipping charges are included in this offer if an error is due to our fault within the Continental United States. International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean. ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. No credit cards or PayPal accepted on this item. Copyright 2012 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved