By L. VAN DER FEEDL ANTWERP
Presented is “T frame” brass frame antique
sextant with platinum arc, now about 130 years old. The signature on the lower arc is difficult to read, but we interpret
it as “L. Van Der Feedl, Antwerp. Our research can not pin down the maker. The city of Antwerp is in Belgium, and
has a strong Dutch influence. Based in its design we date it as having been made in the last quarter if the 19th
Century. It come housed in a beautifully made fan shaped Mahogany case with a rich patina of age. It has some age
cracks, but is strong and sturdy.
Maker’s mark: L Van Der Feedl, Antwerp
THE INSTRUMENT: This beautifully made sextant has
a ribbed brass index arm measures 9 5/8 inches long. Note the thumb screw on the endless tangent screw, swing arm magnifier,
early form platinum vernier scale, reading from right to left from 0 to 20 arc minutes, a removable sighting tube, and two
sets of sun shades, three for the index mirror and three for the horizon mirror. The handle is made from Ebony which
with the other indicators all of which help date the instrument as from the last quarter of 19th Century.=LEFT>
Early style fan or keystone case interior
INSTRUMENT CONDITION: The sextant has
been recently polished and lacquered. The two mirrors are in much better shape than would be expected and only have a
few small dark spots with little loss of silvering. age. The arc’s engraving of degrees is sharp and distinct. The
index arm clamp and tangent screw are complete. The shade glasses are complete. Everything is in good working order. The
entire instrument shows as complete except that the telescope is missing. The instrument has its original machinery, and
a sighting tube, plus an adjustment pick and two telescope shade caps one of which is mounted. THE CASE: The “keystone” or “fan” shaped case
is made from Mahogany, and except for a couple of age cracks is in excellent condition for its age and use
at sea. There is no label and one hook is missing in the front.
Horizon mirror
Index mirror
Back
of frame showing endless tangent screw
sextant of the period, similar in design, construction and quality to
the better known English makes, and will make a
perfect gift.
DIMENSIONS:Length of frame 9 5/8″Width of frame at arc 8 1/2″Index mirror 48 x 25 mmHorizon mirror 22 x 20 mmWeight 2 Lbs 8 oz
In case 4 LbsQUALIFICATIONS: 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 a retired Master Mariner,
and held a U.S. Navy “D” Qualification as a Senior Skipper – Oceans. From 1995 until 2001, he was a Varsity Offshore Sailing
Team Coach at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Some of his memberships include the: Association
of Naval Aviation, Silver Wings, The Tailhook Association, Naval Academy Sailing Squadron, McCampbell’s Aces Squadron,
Naval Historical Foundation, and the Naval Order of the United States.
STANDARD FLAT RATE SHIPPING, INSURANCE & PACKING to 48
contiguous States, $35.00
OUR UNCONDITIONAL NO NONSENSE GUARANTEE: If not
completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within five days of receipt in its original
packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping
charges are included in this offer if the error is due to our fault.
International buyers welcome,
but must 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, Martinique, Mexico,
New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.ACCEPTED FORMS
OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier’s check, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared.
No checks from overseas buyers, no credit cards or PayPal accepted on this item.
Copyright 2010 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved
|