000-100-104-300-C
© National Museums Scotland |
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Sextant
The design for this type of sextant was patented in 1788 by Edward Troughton, a scientific instrument maker based in London. This brass example was made around 1820, probably by Troughton.
The 10-inch 'pillar frame' sextant has two thin frames of plate brass held together by a series of brass pillars. It has a platinum scale (which would not tarnish), an early example of the recently discovered metal being used in instrument design.
The English chemist, William Hyde Wollaston (1766-1828) managed to isolate platinum chemically in 1804. Troughton, who had introduced a new method of engraving sextant scales in 1785, realised that the hardness of this metal made it ideal for scale engraving.
Record details
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| Online ID: |
000-100-104-300-C |
| Image Rights Holder: |
National Museums Scotland |
| Project: |
0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project |
| Ref: |
National Museums Scotland T.1987.137 |
| Date: |
Around 1820
c. 1820
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| Material: |
Brass, platinum. Inscription: Troughton London platina 1251
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| Dimensions: |
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| What: |
Sextant / case
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| Subject: |
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| Who: |
E. Troughton, London (Maker)
The Leith Nautical College Collection
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| Where: |
England, London
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| Event: |
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| Description: |
Ten inch double frame sextant in a fitted case, made by E. Troughton of London about 1820
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| References: |
- Chaldecott, John A., 'Platinum and Palladium in Astronomy and Navigation: The Pioneer Work of Edward Troughton and William Hyde Wollaston' in Platinum Metals Review 31 (1987) pp 91-100
- For Troughton, see McConnell, Anita, Instrument Makers to the World: A History of Cooke, Troughton & Simms. York: 1992, esp. pp 14-24
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