ANTIQUE DAVID STALKER SEXTANT
RARE TWIN COLUMN EBONY FRAME

Fan shaped Case!

PRESENTED is a
very rare design using two vertical braces (columns) in the Ebony frame rather than the single center brace which was
almost universally adopted. It was made by David Stalker of Leith and has his perfect label on the inside of the cover. The
design features an ebony frame with carefully graduated ivory 
arc and vernier,  bronze fittings and both a sighting tube and telescope. The arc measures from – 5 to plus 105
degrees. This two upright braced frame has a brass index arm measuring 10 3/4 inches long, with an
early style ivory vernier scale, reading from right to left from 0 to 20 arc minutes with magnifier missing, four sun
shades, three horizon shades, an index and horizon mirror and two sighing tubes. The company, located at 6 Commercial
Place, Leith, is listed in Webster’s Registry of Instrument Makers as making octants, compasses and barometers during
the 1860’s.  Only a compass with this name is at the National Museum of Scotland which attests to the scarcity of
his work.

POLISHING is available on this sextant at additional
cost which will elevate it to Presenation Grade.  To inquire about polishing this item, =#000000>click here

Of
all the antique instruments we’ve sold, this is only the second of this style that we’ve oferred!

FEATURES: The
frame is fitted with a handle and also a collar to hold the telescope or sighting tube which are part of the kit. Note
the endless tangent screw and vernier for fine adjustment. 

PROVENANCE: Purchased
at auction from a large collection of navigation instruments

Maker’s name D. Stalker Leith (Scotland)

Large index mirror in near perfect condition over the horizon mirror

CONDITION: The instrument, its
ivory name, and graduated arc are in exceptional condition. Both mirrors are in near new condition. The brass hardware is
of high quality and in excellent condition. A mirror adjustment tool is included. Missing is the small magnifier
used to help read the vernier. A telescope and sighting tube are included. The instrument has only a lightly patina of age. The fan shaped case shows some minor scratches and there
are two prominent age cracks on its cover and a smaller one on its bottom, but it is very sturdy. A web handle is fitted for
carrying.

Picture
above shows the instrument and accessories housed in its case

DIMENSIONS:  

• Arc reads – 5 to +105 degrees

• Length of index arm 10 3/4″

• Radius of index arm
  9 3/4″

• Width of frame at arc   9″

• Index mirror
  46 x 26 mm

• Horizon mirror      21 x 16 mm

• Four index shade
  glasses

• Three horizon shade glasses

• One
  telescope

• One sighting tube

• Adjustment wrench

Weight    2
Lbs  6 oz  In Case  5 Lbs 3 oz

SHIPPING, PACKING AND INSURANCE to 48 contiguous
states $45.00