Miniature British Aviation Ministry Seaplane Sextant WW II
RARE BRITISH WW II AIR MINISTRY MINIATURE SEXTANT
Air Ministry Pattern
Of the smaller size sextants, it is the
outright Best!
Presented is another gem of a micro-mini tiny sextant that has a
radius of arc of only 3 1/2 inches, but has large size mirrors and shades, full-size micrometer drum, of regular size sextant.
The only thing of less performance is the low-powered telescope which is minor. It is the second one we’ve discovered in this
excellent condition. The brass frame is finished in mid-night black wrinkle enamel which is like new. The scale has
a silver inlay that is graduated from – 10 to 120 degrees. The index arm has a quick-release trigger and vernier which reads
to 1 arc minute. There are four index shades and three horizon shades. The fittings maintain their original varnish which
has a pleasing age patina. Everything is designed to make this instrument perform like a full-size sextant.
There is no maker’s mark, but it carries the serial number 35017 on its arc. Both Heath
and Hughes made these instruments for the Air Ministry, and since this one is slightly different from the Heath we recently
sold, we will attribute it to Hughes. Both were one of Britain’s Class “A“ sextant makers. Like the Heath, the
index arm imprint reads: Royal Crown
AM
REF No 6B/177
AIR
Price: $1100.00 Shipping: $45.00
MINISTRY DESIGN: The Royal Crown and AM marks indicate this sextant was made for the military which accounts for
its exceptional quality. The AM stands for Air Ministry. Marine sextants of this type were used on seaplanes for taking anchor
bearings and also other calculations such as amplitudes of the sun and distance off angles when on the water.
The beautiful varnished handle shows no wear. The index arm is complete
and in good working order. The frame and all the machinery are in good working order and nothing is missing except a small
screwdriver and the upper latch plate. It comes with its original pick to adjust the horizon mirror. All the screws and fittings
show their original varnish which has mellowed with age.
Back View
PROVENANCE: None known
INSTRUMENT CONDITION:
The mirrors are in “near new” condition. The index mirror is like new. The horizon mirror has some small Grey specks on
the surface and a vertical line 1/64 inch wide at its edge, neither of which will affect sights. Index and side error are
nil.
 |
 |
One minute
vernier with serial number 35017 AM imprint showing above
& Large
Horizon mirror Large
Index mirror
The beautiful varnished handle shows no wear. The index arm is complete
and in good working order. The frame and all the machinery are in good working order and nothing is missing except a small
screwdriver and the upper latch plate. It comes with its original pick to adjust the horizon mirror. All the screws and fittings
show their original varnish which has mellowed with age.
CASE:
The sextant comes housed in a high-quality, varnished, Mahogany square case with no faults. The case has a brass handle, hinges
and two rotary latches and a lock, but no key. The upper fitting of the lock is missing. Its varnish has mellowed with age
and has a pleasing patina. The round holder in the case holds a small flask of oil. The lower holders are for a pick which
is present and a small screwdriver which is missing.
There is no certificate, but these type instruments had minor manufacturing errors over their usable range which for all
practical purposes could be ignored.
All in all, a very rare and exceptionable example
from one of the best known English instrument makers.
DIMENSIONS:Length of index arm 5 3/4″
Width of frame at arc 5″
Radius of Arc 3 1/2“
Telescope
fixed focus 2 X
Index error Nil
Side error Nil
Index mirror 46 x 30 mm
Horizon mirror 36 x 30 mm
Weight
sextant 2 Lbs 7 oz 5 lbs 8 oz total
BRIEF HISTORY OF MAKER:The Henry Hughes name which we believe
to be the maker of this instrumentwas founded in 1838 in London as a maker of chronographic
and scientific instruments. The firm was incorporated as Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd in 1903 and in 1923, the company produced
its first recording echo sounder. In 1935, a controlling interest in the company was acquired by S. Smith & Son Ltd resulting
in the development of marine and aircraft instruments. Following the London office’s destruction in the Blitz of 1941, a collaboration
was entered into with Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd, resulting in the establishing of Marine Instruments Ltd. Following
the formal amalgamation of Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd and Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd in 1947 to form Kelvin &
Hughes Ltd, Marine Instruments Ltd acted as regional agents in the UK for Kelvin & Hughes Ltd who were essentially now
a part of Smith’s Industries Ltd founded in 1944 as the successors of S. Smith & Son Ltd. trademark
was in use starting in the 1920s. Hughes and Heath made many sextants to the same design this being one of them. The more
recognizable are the three ring sextants one under the Heath Hezzenitth brand and the other under the Hughes, Husan brand.
Both arelikely the most numerous ever produced, and can still be found in
great quantity today.
