The overall condition of this prestige sextant is as
new. 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 collector of Tamaya instruments since it is the father of the MS 733 Spica.
As a former partner with Tamaya in the development of its modern line of sextants, I take pride in offering an earlier MS 2 series sextant that was the father of the famous 733 SPICA. This example, Serial No. 32721, was made in March, 1973. It is housed in a factory wood case of that period with matching number and is fitted with a new 3.5 x 40 star scope, and its powerful 7 x 50 sun and planet scope. This series is built on the same frame as the Model 733 SPICA sextant which is felt by many professional navigators to be the best of the modern sextants. The differences between its progeny, the MS 2, is that the mirror sizes are slightly smaller than on the 733 which allowed for the mounting of this very powerful 7 x 50 telescope, and a difference in the handle design and lighting system.
THE 7 X 50 SCOPE has fully coated optics and is gas impregnated. It is better suited for use aboard a ship or a large size yacht. It has the capability of sharpening the celestial body and horizon which makes for more precise sights, and if you do Lunar sights this may be the weapon of choice. It also has the power and optics to bring down early rising planets with great precision and extends the time of useable twilight. However, the 7 power lens tends to accentuate movement so that it is best used from a stable platform and not the dancing deck of a small boat.
The 7 x 50 scope is no longer made by Tamaya. It last sold for over $400.00. The largest scope still made by them is a 7 x 35 which is sold as an accessory to Tamaya’s MS 733 Spica, and MS 833 Jupiter sextants. The smaller scope is priced today at $389.00.
PROVENANCE: The sextant was purchased nearly 34 years ago,
new, in Japan by a master mariner who brought it back to the States for his personal collection. Later 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.
CONDITION: Irrespective of age, overall condition is as fresh as if it were made just yesterday. Adjustable index error, 1 min “on the arc”. All moving parts turn freely. Mirrors are perpendicular to frame. Index mirror horizon mirror are as near new.
This instrument operates like a well oiled piece of machinery. It shows no evidence of
wear and all its metal part glisten. Its paint shows no blemishes and its screw fittings and chrome plating are in
excellent “as new” condition. The horizon mirror and index mirror are free and clear of blemish, and appear “as new”.
The case is in excellent condition. The placard number on the case matches the sextant and is dated March,1973.
This sextant is ideally suited for a someone who seeks the
highest quality most versatile instrument. For use at sea, it should provide outstanding dependable service, and
pride in the ownership of a presidium Tamaya sextant which is considered by many to be the world’s best contemporary sextant.
STAR RATING: This is a good example of a previously owned premium grade Tamaya sextant and is suitable for a collection or for use at sea. I rate this fine quality instrument 5 plus STARS irrespective of age.
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED: This instrument carries our warranty and the buyer can return it within three days of receipt if he is not completely satisfied. The only conditions are that an email Authorization be obtained, and that the instrument is returned in its original condition and packaging, and insured for its full value. Unfortunately, shipping charges are not included in this offer and are non-refundable unless we are at fault.
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.
COMPANY HISTORY: To my knowledge, no public history has ever been published
by Tamaya or anyone else. What I know from my personal relationships was that the company was founded in 1675. That is not
a misprint, over 328 years ago. Its original business was trading beads. I believe that it was during WW II, it first got
into the sextant business. Prior to that its major emphasis was in surveying instruments which was always the larger
portion of its business. Somewhere along the line it was acquired by K. Hattori interests. Hattori is a name much like Smith
in this country, but this Hattori was an industrial giant having founded Seiko Watch and Epson Computers. Yasuo Hattori became
the chief executive officer, Ito his assistant, and under their leadership the company aggressively expanded its manufacturing
capabilities and interest in marine navigation. This was done with the introduction of a new line of sextants starting
in 1975 which included the MS 733, Spica, then the moderately priced Jupiter, MS 833, and lastly the 7/8 scale Venus,
MS 933. Concurrently. a line of hardwired navigation computers was introduced starting with the famous NC 2, then the NC 87,
and lastly the NC 2000 which may still be in production. I went back to sea in 1978, but on a personal level have kept in
touch with the Hattori’s ever since.
SCROLL DOWN FOR GALLERY PICTURES
TAMAYA MS “2” Series Sextant SPECIFICATIONS:
Measuring Range:-5 to 125 degrees
Telescopes: 3.5 x 40 Coated optics and
7 x 50 coated optics
Frame: Aluminum with bonded bronze arc. Black enamel
Micrometer Drum: reads to 1 min.
The vernier to 1/6 minute
Index
Mirror: 49 mm x 33 mm.
Horizon Mirror: 50 mm diameter.
Shades:
4 shades for index mirror
Shades for horizon mirror
Weight: 4
lbs, 11 1/2 lbs in case .
Carrying case: Varnished wood with two clamps, lock and key
INCLUDED ARE:
1 Tamaya MS “2” Sextant frame
1 3.5 x 40 mm Scope
1 7 x 50 mm scope
1 Mirror adjustment wrench
1 original screw driver
1 sextant case with key
3 filters for scope’s ocular lens
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.
