Sextant (detail)

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This is a detail of a brass sextant made around 1820, probably by E. Troughton, a scientific instrument maker based in London. Troughton had patented the design for this type of sextant in 1788.

The detail shows the inscriptions on the arc of the sextant. They read 'Troughton London' (for the maker), 'platina' (for the material of the scale, platinum), and the serial number, '1251'.

The scale is divided into degrees and minutes from -5 to 140 degrees, and by using the vernier provided it is possible to take readings to 10 seconds of arc. This increased accuracy in instrumentation allowed sailors to navigate with improved precision.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-002-071-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1987.137
• Date: Around 1820
  c. 1820
  
• Material: Brass, platinum. Inscription: Troughton London platina 1251
  Sextant / case
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Sextant / case
  
• Subject:
• Who: E. Troughton, London (Maker)
  The Leith Nautical College Collection
  
• Where: England, London
  
• Event:
• Description: Ten inch double frame sextant in a fitted case, made by E. Troughton of London about 1820
  
• 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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