probably made in London

Sextant

This brass sextant was made around 1790, probably by Jesse Ramsden (1735-1800), a scientific instrument maker based in London. The design for this type of sextant was patented in 1788 by Edward Troughton, another London-based scientific instrument maker.

The 'pillar frame' sextant with silver scale has two thin frames of plate brass held together by a series of brass pillars. The design was previously popular in the navy, and this instrument is engraved on the upper bridging joint 'Capt Wood', for a one-time owner.

This effort - to combine lightness and rigidity in the sextant frame - was patented by one of Ramsden's competitors, Edward Troughton. According to a contemporary in 1828, these were 'in great request in the naval service'.

Record details

To search on related items, click any linked text below.

Online ID:	000-100-104-228-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland T.1963.42
Date:	Around 1790 c. 1790
Material:	Brass
Dimensions:
What:
Subject:
Who:	Horsburgh Collection Ramsden, London (Instrument maker)
Where:	England, London
Event:
Description:	Brass sextant with the hand lens missing, by Ramsden of London, c. 1790
References:	For Ramsden and Troughton, see Clifton, Gloria, Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851. London: 1995, pp 227-8 Turner, Anthony, Early Scientific Instruments 1400-1800. London: 1987, pp 228-9; Bennett, J.A. The Divided Circle: A history of instruments for astronomy, navigation and surveying. Oxford: 1987. pp 136-8
Translations:
Related Records: