Sextant ~ S.J. Browning - Late Stebbing ~

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Sextant ~ S.J. Browning - Late Stebbing ~

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Sold Date: 01/03/2008
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Fine Art

Sextant ~ S.J. Browning - Late Stebbing ~ Keystone Box ~ Circa 1845 Scale Marked in flowing Script two lines : S.J. Browning late Stebbing, Optician to her Majesty, 66 High St. Portsmouth Serial number {top center of scale}..... 3506 Samuel John Browning ...son of William Browning ...of Spencer, Browning & Rust. Apprenticed to his father 1840....Worked 1847-1862+ Took over Stebbing & Son in 1847. An important transitional piece....from the era of one well known maker to the beginnings of another important maker. Judging from the serial number of this sextant, 3506, this sextant dates earlier than 1847, and represents the end of Stebbing & Son production....and not related to the production of S.J. Browning Sextant Measures: 8-1/2" approx tall...{scale to top of Index Mirror} 9-1/2" approx wide...{scale tip to scale tip} 4" approx height...{resting level on its 3 legs to top of scope mount} Silver inlaid scale-- graduated arc-- marked from left to right 160 to 0 ---- and with increments , 170 to -5...somewhat, difficult to read Silver Vernier scale ....left to right - - difficult to read....appears to be .. 10...8...6...4...2...? Index "micrometer" screw ......fine-adjusting screw that moves the index arm over the arc, fully operational Removable magnifier affixed to reinforced index arm...magnifier glass clear and works well Magnifier arm affixed to reinforced index arm ...has an old repair....appears soldered. 3 Round Horizon- Sun filter frames .... 1filter is missing Present 1 Dark Green and 1 Dark Amber or Red 4 Right angle, and half circular { ? lack of proper terminology ? } Horizon-sun frames with circular filters.... 1 filter is missing. Present 1 Dark red....1 Darker red/ or dark amber .....and 1 almost black ...possibly dark violet. All present filters in good condition - but a couple have very light scratching.......but no cracks. 2 Mirrors present 1 Index Mirror --rectangular Mirror ...at top of sextant .....some loss to silver backing... and some spotting - mirror glass has no cracks 1 ..horizon mirror present ---but about a 1/4 of the silver backing has peeled away...glass has no cracks Adjusting "key" {pointed awl like tool} for horizon mirror adjustment is included.....I do not think this tool is original to this sextant.... but it fits the holes.....over-all length 1-13/16" .....iron shaft, with knurled and turned 3/8" brass head......the iron, has slight surface rust All 4 knobs present .... 2 of these are for lock down ...and the other two are adjusting....the lock down knobs do their purpose well ...the adjusting knobs operate....but some lubricant or graphite would help, especially on the "Rising Screw" Knob for sight tube adjustment 3 sight tubes .... 2 of these are telescopic...clear glass elements in very good condition and - actually, work quite well..... All tubes are 7/8" diameter at objective end. 1 screw on eye piece ....7/8" diameter and 5/16" thick....with blue glass. The Longest of the telescopes is 6-15/16" collapsed ....and extended, without pulling the tubes apart, is 9-7/8" long. The 2nd telescopic tube is 3-3/16" collapsed ....and extended, without pulling the tubes apart, is 4-13/16" long The third sight tube has no glass elements and is not telescopic...it is 3-5/8" long. Condition on sight tubes ....no dents .......scratching and loss of lacquer ....some verdigris on the longest tube... spotting to brass. Turned Ebony wood handle .....in very good condition ....very few minor scratches. Overall Condition of Sextant: In addition to previously stated -- Silver scale tarnishing black in spots ....index vernier scale hard to read.... overall brass has a dark, almost olive tint patina....absolutely no lacquer left....if it ever had any. Verdigris in scattered spots.... Whitish crust ---- salt ? ---in spots... If one was inclined .....I believe this sextant would clean up nicely......but I will leave that to the new owner. No cuts or breaks anyw...except the magnifier arm, which has broke off at one point in the past and has been soldered back on.....t is evidence of fi...