Rare C. Plath Premium Quintant - Sextant 1928 Mint

Rare C. Plath
Premium Quintant – Sextant
1928 Mint

This Fine Item Has Been Sold! Thank you!

RARE C. Plath 1928 PREMIUM QUINTANT/SEXTANT

Presented is a high quality C. Plath, bronze frame, quintant in exceptional condition having most of its varnish
and midnight black lacquer coating. Its original certificate was issued by the Deutsche Seewarte in 1928 and matches its serial
number, 11511. The certificate translation says is should be considered
error free for practical use which is unusual for this period. A “Button type” quick release clamp is a unique feature and
was only fitted to this and the first sextant made by Plath when they again commenced sextant production in 1949 after WW
II.

It has a 3 1/2 power scope, and a sighting tube
for shooting terrestrial objects. The adjustable rising piece allows moving the distance of the telescope from the frame which
makes the horizon more distinct under varying light conditions.The bronze arc
is calibrated -5 to +155 degrees with a vernier that reads from the right, from 0 to 10 arc seconds. The Serial Number 11511
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.

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

Serial No. 11511 above Sun Shooter logo

Vernier with “Push
Bottom” clamp below

CONDITION: Considering its age this quintant
is in exceptionally fine condition having about ninety eight percent of its original lacquered, midnight black finish, and
most of its varnish remaining. It shows very little use. The index mirror at the very top and bottom edge has some corrosion,
but the viewing surface is clear and sharp. The horizon mirror is in mostly good condition. Both sets of shades (filters)
are perfect. The mirror adjustment tool and brush are present as are two filters for the telescopes.

THE CASE: The instrument is housed in a tongue and groove, teak wood case with stainless hardware. Due to shrinking,
the depth of the sides are shorter at the rear making a 1/8″ ledge along the top. The original adjustment wrench, brush and
key are included. Inside is a plate with the Plath “Sun Shooter” logo and an address at 25 Stubbenhuk 25, Hamburg above the
instruments certificate. The case, except for some scratches on its top and bottom, is in excellent condition with a nice
patina of age to its finish. The telescope filters not seen in the case
are mounted on the scopes.

Housed in a sturdy Teak wood case

This is the only example
of this model 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.

Handsome hardwood case

Adjustable Rising Piece

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 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 their 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.

This instrument show the quality for
which Plath was noted. Few of this model have survived and this one rates 5 Plus Stars.

SPECIFICATIONS:

QUINTANT / SEXTANT:

Telescope 3.5 power

Sighting tube 0

Length of index arm 9 1/2″

Radius of Arc 7 1/2″

Width of Arc 10 1/2″

Index Mirror 48 mm x 33 mm

Horizon Mirror 33 mm x 33 mm

SEXTANT WEIGHT 4
lbs 2 oz CASE 5 lbs 8 oz TOTAL 10 lbs 10 oz

CASE 11
1/4″ x 11 1/4″ L x 5 1/2″ W

Shipping & Packaging

The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination, will be calculated point to point and is an additional charge. You may email us to get these costs. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling.

Our Unconditional 'No Nonsense' Guarantee

If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three 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 refundable if due to our error within the continental United States.

International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers worldwide.

Standard Forms of Payment

Bank wire transfer, cashier’s check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Our prices are quoted net to us so that the use of credit cards or PayPal incur extra charges. Terms on overseas sales are different.