RARE PLATH WHOLE HORIZON MIRROR

We are the premier source for all versions of the Plath Navistar premium sextants, including the “Royal” and “Traditional” and have sold more than any other dealer in the world!

This is the first example of this type sextant we’ve seen even though it was introduced by C. Plath in 1991. It is in brand new, never used flawless “Collector Quality” condition. It was previously owned by a first officer for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines who bought it,and then never used it. He purchased it with the 6 x 30 prismatic Sun telescope and we have added a new 3 x 26 Star scope to complete the kit.

The difference between this sextant and other Navistar Classics is that it is fitted with over size mirrors, and the horizon mirror is rectangular and a “Whole Horizon” type. It also has the least non-adjustable instrument error of any Plath sextant. This is the 15th Navistar we’ve offered. In our opinion, they are the finest of the contemporary sextants. They will be equally desirable at sea or in a collection of only the finest, and should only appreciate in value.

This Navistar Classic style was one of the last high quality models Plath introduced in 1990, just 11 years before their sextant production ceased. Don’t confuse this sextant with the Navistar
TRADITIONAL or the ROYAL, which we previously discovered and sold. This is the first of the CLASSIC variant we have seen.

New, and exclusive “state of the art” design features:
Nonadjustable instrument error of < 8 arc seconds
Updated ladder style frame
Lever action tangent screw release
Oversize mirrors with Whole Horizon
Adjustable vernier for “0“ index error
Miniature batteries and light emitting diode
Adjustable Makrolon handle for ergonomic fit
Presentation grade lacquered case deluxe brass campaign fittings
DESIGN FEATURES: This Navistar Classic, is the equal of the Navistar Royal in Plath’s line of premium sextants and was made in limited quantities to the same degree of non-adjustable instrument error of 8 arc seconds thereby putting it in the same class. Because it was a new design in 1990 with many advanced features, it sold for more than other sextants. The visual clues are the flat index arm with diode lighting, and the special micrometer drum with a rotating vernier, and Navistar brand imprint. The rotating vernier has six indents and reads to 10 seconds of arc. You turn it to match the “0” point with the “0” on the micrometer drum so that index error reads zero. It comes with its original detailed instruction booklet, with Plath certification and the number 64628, but no date. C. Plath quit producing sextants around 2001. The parent company has completely liquidated everything including machinery, equipment and spare parts.

High impact absorbing liner with compartments

PROVENANCE: Purchased by a Royal Caribbean Lines first officer, and placed in storage.

CONDITION: Brand new and never used. It operates like a well oiled piece of machinery, and has NO faults even minor ones. Both mirrors show as NEW. The illumination works with new Duracell D357 batteries. The bronze arc shows “as new”. There is no index or side error. The original certificate is included. The case has two minor bruises which have been touched-up in our shop. There are two keys included.

Perfect oversize index mirror

Flawless oversize whole horizon mirror

Vernier
with “0” adjustment

Navistar Serial Number

This is the only example of a C. Plath Navistar Classic sextant with a rectangular horizon mirror that we have ever seen and is suitable for a collector or for use at sea. It requires someone who can appreciate the uniqueness of this sextant, and is willing to pay for this level of quality and excellence STAR RATING: This super fine Collector Quality instrument rates FIVE PLUS STARS irrespective of age.

Deluxe Hi-Gloss Presentation Case

Manual, keys and accessories

COMPANY HISTORY: In brief, Carl Plath started manufacturing sextants, in addition to other nautical products, in Hamburg Germany in 1862 though the company’s origin dates
back to 1837. As a result WW II, C.Plath was dismantled completely by the occupation forces. Around 1950, various prohibitions were lifted, and C. Plath was allowed to begin production again of sextants and other nautical instruments. Also in 1949,C.Plath was offered a gyrocompass patent and in 1951 the first gyrocompass designed to this patent was presented to the public. C.Plath progressed from the role of instrument maker to that of a modern marine navigation equipment manufacturer. In the following years the product range was expanded by many more modern designs such as autopilots, speed logs, radio direction finders, etc.

In 1962 C. Plath was acquired by Litton Industries, a large American concern.The C. Plath North American Division was set up in 1978 in College Park near Washington. 1996 saw the introduction of the world’s first fiber-optic solid-state gyrocompass by
C. Plath. The first ever gyrocompass with no moving parts. Sperry Marine was formed in 1997 with the combination of C.Plath, Decca Marine and Sperry Marine with more organizational changes yet to come. After 163 years, C.Plath changes its name to Sperry Marine in May 2000. In 2001 Sperry Marine becomes part of the Northrop Grumman Corporation.

C. PLATH NAVISTAR CLASSIC FINAL VARIATION – SPECIFICATIONS:

Measuring range -5 to 125 degrees
Tested accuracy 10 arc seconds
Telescope: 4 x 40 Coated optics
Frame:
Bronze with black enamel paint and bronze arc.
Micrometer Drum and Vernier Scale: reads to 10 seconds of arc. Index arm measures 8 15/16”
Index
Mirror: 60 x 44.5 mm. aluminized on front side.
Horizon Mirror: 57mm diameter whole horizon view
Shades:
3 for
index mirror
3 for horizon mirror

Adjustable vernier for zero index error
Illumination: Yes
Weight sextant: 3.5 lbs
Weight case 10.0 lbs.
Total weight
13. 5
INCLUDED ARE:

1
Sextant ladder style frame
1 4 x 40 Star Scope
1 6 x 30 Sun Scope
1 Mirror adjustment tool
1
Brush
1 Deluxe Presentation lacquered sextant case
1. Cleaning cloth
1 Original owner’s manual and certificate
2
Keys

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 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.