Description

Exquisite Double-Frame Quintant by Troughton & Simms c.1850

Presented here is a superb double-frame quintant by Troughton & Simms, the foremost English instrument makers of their era.

This exceptional piece, engraved “Troughton & Simms, London” , exemplifies the pinnacle of 19th-century nautical craftsmanship.

Designed by Edward Troughton, this instrument features a 140-degree arc, technically classifying it as a quintant.

Crafted from solid brass—a material prized for its strength and precision—it represents the evolution of maritime navigation instruments.

Double-frame sextants (or quintants) were far rarer than their single-frame counterparts due to their intricate construction and higher cost. As a result, they seldom appear on the market

Dating to the early-to-mid 1800s

Troughton & Simms was one of the most prestigious British firms specializing in scientific and nautical instruments during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The company was renowned for its precision engineering, particularly in the production of sextants, theodolites, telescopes, and surveying equipment.

• Founding & Early Years:

  • The firm originated from Edward Troughton (1753–1835), a highly skilled instrument maker who took over his brother’s business in 1778.

  • Troughton became famous for his dividing engine, which allowed for extremely accurate scale engraving on instruments.

  • In 1826, Edward Troughton partnered with William Simms (1793–1860), forming Troughton & Simms.

  • After Troughton’s retirement, Simms continued the business, which later became Troughton & Simms Ltd. and eventually merged with T. Cooke & Sons in 1922, forming Cooke, Troughton & Simms.

  • Sextants & Nautical Instruments

    • Troughton & Simms produced some of the finest brass sextants and quintants of the 19th century.

    • Their double-frame sextants (like the one in your description) were masterpieces of craftsmanship, though expensive and rare compared to single-frame models.

    • Many of their instruments were used by the Royal Navy and merchant fleets.

  • Surveying & Astronomical Instruments

    • The firm manufactured theodolites for major surveys, including those used in the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India.

    • They built telescopes and transit instruments for observatories worldwide, including the Royal Greenwich Observatory.

  • Engineering & Precision Craftsmanship

    • Troughton’s dividing engine revolutionized the accuracy of scale divisions on instruments.

    • Their brass and silvered scales were known for exceptional durability and readability.