Description

An Edwardian sextant by Heath & Co Limited, London – the sextant is numbered 6869 and features silvered division indicators and comes equipped with a variety of shades, mirrors, and lenses, all housed in the fitted case with key. The case includes a locking mechanism and bears a Certificate of Examination from the National Physical Laboratory, Kew Observatory, dated April 1906. The lacquered instrument is fitted with a rosewood handle. Inside the case are additional lenses. Both the sextant and its case are marked with the owner’s name: R. B. Wilson R.N.

The case is opened by aligning the rotating dials and then turning the centre lock, all function correctly as does the key and lock; inside, the sextant locks into place with a positive click and is released by pressing the brass button at the rear marked ‘Patent’, an unusual system that we have not seen before.

Heath & Co. Limited, based in Crayford, London, was one of Britain’s most respected scientific and navigational instrument makers from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries. The company, founded by George Heath in 1845, specialised in designing and manufacturing high-quality navigational instruments including sextants. They supplied the Admiralty, Board of Trade, and Trinity House in London. These sextants were considered top-of-the-range for both Royal Navy and merchant service and this example dated 1906 represents their “golden age” of production, with fine craftsmanship typical of late-Victorian and Edwardian London makers.

A really nice example, the case measures 28 x 26.5 x 13.5cm (11″ x 10.5″ x 5.25″).