IMMACULATE EARLY 20 Th Cent QUINTANT SEXTANT WITH A HISTORY GUARANTEED!   Rare three circle quintant by C. Plath, Hamburg, Ca 1910   Presented is an antique quintant, meaning a sextant having a range of 144°, or an arc of 72°. Made by C. Plath of Hamburg, Germany. It has one of their rarely seen three circle (Vermessung) frames. It was made in 1910 or a little earlier since the instrument in its present from has a story to tell. Originally Serial Number 7777 was built to measure angles both on land and at sea, for doing surveys, making nautical charts or setting navigation aides. This is established by it arch which reads to 150 degrees rather than the customary 105 degrees for a sextant. Instruments designed for this purpose are not fitted with shade glasses so the ones installed here were fitted later.   The quintant is in its last used condition having been maintained by someone who took great care since it shows very little corrosion of its aluminum parts and elsewhere it is in like new condition. The mirrors are clear, sharp and without blemish as if they were new. The beautifully Rosewood handle is nicely finished and fitted with a threaded bronze insert that allows it to be attached to a tripod for a steady mount.   This instrument likely was originally made with a vernier rather than the micrometer drum that is now fitted. That again could make it older than 1910. In that configuration, there would have been a swing arm magnifier which has been replaced with the silver embossed cartouche with the C. Plath "stick man" logo. The index arm clamp is complete and in good working order. The frame is finished in its original arsenic black lacquered finish without blemish. The instrument has its original telescope which is attached to an adjustable rising piece which is unique to instrumenrs of this period. There is no certificate which is not unusual with older instruments. The bronze arc is calibrated -5 to 150 degrees with a micrometer drum that reads to one minute of arc and can be estimated to one tenth minute. Serial Number 7777 is imprinted to the left and the Plath logo to the right. The sextant has two horizon shades in aluminum frames and four index shades, two in aluminum and two in bronze frames, all in good order.   THE CASE: The instrument is housed in a fitted wood carrying case which has aluminum hinges and latches. The lock has the Plath logo imprinted. The case is in good strong condition, but a bottom section laminate is missing. This does not affect its integrity, only its looks. A wood block whose purpose was to carry a filter for the telesope's ocular lens is missing as is the filter and small pick used to adjust the mirrors. The adjustment can be made using a needle. There also is a brush missing.   This is the only C.Plath three circle quintant/sextant we have ever seen. They are not even pictured in the definitive work on the topic of sextants, "Taking the Stars" by Dr. Peter Ifland. This is a rare addition to an important collection.     The Maker's noted trade mark         Original C. Plath plate CREDENTIALS: We are one of the few people still selling navigation instruments that know anything about them. For purposes of judging whether my opinion counts, I 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. I  am also a retired Master Mariner, and held a U.S. Navy "D" Qualification as a Senior Skipper - Oceans.   This quintant is an outstanding example of an elegant Plath three circle frame model and rates 5 Stars.   CONDITION: The instrument, and its hardware are all in remarkably good condition. Everything is in good working order, and there is nothing to mark this sextant down for except the case has a panel missing in its bottom, but is still sturdy. The two horizon  shade frames are aluminum. Two index shade frames are aluminum and two are bronze. Normally, there would be three horizon shades. Overall, the quintant has a nice patina of age and is in exceptional condition.   DIMENSIONS: CASE  12 1/4" x 12 1/4" L x 6 5/8" W       SEXTANT: Length of index arm    8 3/8" Width of arc                9 1/4" Diameter 1 circle         2 1/8" Index Mirror                 47 mm x 30 mm Horizon Mirror             30 mm x 20 mm   SEXTANT WEIGHT     3 LBS    SHIPPING & PACKING: The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination  is an additional charge. You may email us beforehand to get these costs. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling.   GUARANTEE OF SATISFACTION: You must be fully satisfied with your purchase on arrival and that our description is entirely accurate or your money back. The only conditions are that an email authorization be obtained within three days, 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. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS WELCOME, but inquire first. There are extra costs. We have satisfied customers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean. 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