RARELY SEEN C. PLATH NAVISTAR CLASSIC Their Finest & Best Sextant Ever!
It has been over a year since we were able to offer
a C. Plath Navistar Classic sextant in top-notch condition. They are rare, hard to find, and very much in demand. In this
case we present a documented 1981 C. Plath Navistar Classic, Serial No. 62657 in its Mahogany wood case with energy
absorbing green liner. The sextant sits in the case with its handle up, ready for use, a handy feature. It has a Carl Zeiss
4 x 40 scope and on its index arm is the Deutche Hydrographic Institute seal of approval.
The Deutche Hydrographic Institute stamp of approval elevates
it to the highest level because it indicates this instrument was tested by DHI, and found to meet the more
stringent standards for commercial use. Hence, this sextant sold for more originally then the regular Navistar Classic.
The Navistar Classic was the top of the Plath line and was made in
limited quantities, and was made with a guaranteed non-adjustable instrument error of 10 arc seconds or less. It sold for
a premium over all its other sextants. For example, almost 30 years ago, they sold for over $1000.00, and as recently as 2001,
the price had risen to $4000.00.
Don't
confuse this model with the similarly named “Navistar Professional“ which. in our opinion is
the worst sextant made by them or the “Navistar Traditional“ which was made shortly before sextant
production was terminated. It has instrument error to 20 arc seconds.
You can identify the “Navistar
Classic” by these clues:
1. It has a special micrometer drum 2. The Navistar brand imprint on the arc. 3. The vernier has six
indents and reads to 10 seconds of arc. 4. Comes with a fine wood case with
a green absorbent liner, 5. And an instruction booklet, and Plath's certification with matching
numbers.
Some have a label from the Deutche Hydrographic Institute dated 2/1/78 certifying them for commercial
service. All these features are present with this instrument.
PROVENANCE: This instrument was formerly the property of a yachtsman who used it in
a passage from Europe to the Eastern Caribbean. Afterwards, it spent most of its life on a shelf.
For the seven year period from
1978 through 1985 only 1693 Navistar Classics were made. That is only 211 per year to satisfy worldwide demand.
CONDITION: There little evidence of use. The horizon mirror has the tiniest of desilvering along the bottom of the
edge which separates the mirrored from the clear portion which most would miss seeing. It is negligible, and can be considered
"as near new". The index mirror is in “new condition“ without a blemish. The stainless and chrome fittings
are all bright and shiny. The paint is excelent with no evidense of corrosion. It operates like a well oiled
piece of machinery, and has no mechanical faults even minor ones except these: The case has
a some scuff marks, and scratches, mostly on its top. The lighting does NOT work after a number of bulbs and
batteries have been tried. This is quite common with C. Plath Classic sextants. There is no index or side error.
The numbers on the certificate and sextant match.
Flawless index
mirror
Near perfect
horizon mirror
Special micrometer and vernier
Navistar imprint
This is a C. Plath Navistar Classic that is suitable for a collector or for use at sea . It
requires someone who can appreciate the fine points of a sextant, and is willing to pay an appropriate price for this
level of quality and excellence.
STAR RATING: This fine Collector Quality instrument
rates 4 15/16 STARS only because of the lighting. Otherwise, its a 5.
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.
For six years 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.
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. Directly thereafter, C. Plath quit producing
sextants. The parent company has completely liquidated everything including machinery, equipment and spare parts.
C. PLATH NAVISTAR CLASSIC SPECIFICATIONS:
Measuring Range: -5 to 125 degrees 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 Mirror: 56 x 42 mm. aluminized on the rear side. Horizon Mirror: 57mm diameter. Shades: 4
for index mirror 3 for horizon mirror
Weight sextant: 4.2 lbs, Weight case 6 lbs.
INCLUDED ARE:
1 C. Plath Sextant frame
1 4 x 40 Scope
1 Mirror adjustment tool
1 Brush
1 Varnished Mahogany sextant case
1 Spare bulb
Sextant Manual
Certificate of Inspection
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. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands,
Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland,
Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, 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.
This is the seventh Navistar Classic we have
offered over the last year and a half. 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.
Copyright 2009 - 2008 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved
Rarely do we have the opportunity
to offer an absolutely outstanding and near flawless "Collector Quality" example of any maker's sextant. In this
case we present a rare Ca 1988 C. Plath Navistar Classic, Serial No. 63548, in its magnificent Mahogany
wood case with an upgraded Carl Zeiss 4 x 40 scope and the Deutche Hydrographic Institute stamp of approval.
The Deutche Hydrographic Institute stamp of approval elevates
it to the highest level because it indicates this instrument was tested by them and found to meet the more stringent
standards for commercial use. Hence, this sextant sold for more originally then the regular Navistar Classic.
PROVENANCE:
The Navistar Classic was the top of the Plath line and was made in limited quantities. It sold for a premium over all
its other sextants. For example, almost 30 years ago they sold for over $1000.00, and as recently as 2001, the
price had risen to $3200.00 in its standard form. The visual clue is the special micrometer drum and the Navistar
brand imprint. The vernier has six indents and reads to 10 seconds of arc. On its index arm is a label from the Deutche Hydrographic
Institute dated 2/1/78 certifying it for commercial service. It comes with its original detailed instruction booklet, and
Plath's certification with matching numbers. We took a couple of test sights and it has no index or side error. C. Plath quit producing sextants around 2001. The parent company has completely liquidated everything
including machinery, equipment and spare parts concerning Plath's sextant manufacturing.
For the seven year period from 1978
through 1985 only 1693 Navistar Classics were made. That is only 211 per year to satisfy worldwide demand.
CONDITION: There is little discernable evidence of wear or use so that it can be considered as near new in all respects.
It operates like a well oiled piece of machinery, and has NO faults even minor ones. The horizon mirror shows as
NEW, and the index mirror has only one tiny spec of black on the edge. The case is has some
scuff marks. The lighting works. The bronze arc is clean and fresh. There is no index or side error.
STAR RATING: This super fine Collector Quality instrument rates FIVE
PLUS STARS irrespective of age, the fourth time I have given that rating.
Near flawless index mirror
Perfect horizon
mirror
Like new vernier
Well maintained case
This is the one of the finest examples of a previously owned C. Plath Navistar Classic that we
have ever seen and is suitable for a collector or for use at sea . It requires someone who can appreciate the fine points
of a sextant, and is willing to pay an appropriate price for this level of quality and excellence.
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.
From 1995 through 2000, I served as a Varsity Offshore Sailing Team coach at the U.S.
Naval Academy.
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, and shortly thereafter discontinues sextant production. All parts,
machinery, and tooling were destroyed.
C. PLATH NAVISTAR CLASSIC SPECIFICATIONS:
Measuring Range: -5 to 125 degrees 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 Mirror: 56 x 42 mm. aluminized on the rear side. Horizon Mirror: 57mm diameter. Shades: 4
for index mirror 3 for horizon mirror
Weight sextant: 4.2 lbs, Weight case 6 lbs.
INCLUDED ARE:
1 C. Plath Sextant frame
1 4 x 40 Scope
1 Mirror adjustment tool
1 Brush
1 Varnished Mahogany sextant case with two keys
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.
We have satisfied customers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, England,
France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Martinique, Mexico, New
Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, USVI and the Eastern
Caribbean.
ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer,
cashier's check, money order, 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.
Only twice before have we offered a Navistar sextant
that was so perfect. A true masterpiece that will be equally home at sea or in a collection of only the finest.
Copyright 2007 by Land And Sea Collection™, All
Rights Reserved
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.
For six years he was a Varsity Offshore Sailing Team Coach at the U.S. Naval Academy. 
