Octant

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An octant is a navigational instrument used for measuring angles necessary for determining a ship's position at sea. This example dates from around 1890. It was retailed by Berry & Mackay, scientific instrument makers based in Aberdeen.

The octant is made of brass and bronze, with an ivory arc. Engraved on the limb is 'Berry and Mackay Aberdeen'. The instrument lacks its sight tubes and telescope.

The firm of Berry & Mackay began in 1879 when Alexander Spence Mackay became a partner in a business founded by James Berry in 1835. Berry died in 1890 and MacKay in 1914, but the firm was active until 1975.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-772-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1980.185
• Date: Around 1890
  c. 1890
  
• Material: Oxidised brass. Inscription: Berry & Mackay Aberdeen
  
• Dimensions: 194 mm radius
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who: Arthur Frank Collection of Scottish Scientific Instruments
  Berry and Mackay, Aberdeen (Retailer)
  
• Where: Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen
  
• Event:
• Description: 8" octant with plain cast frame, in oxidised bronze and brass, with ivory arc, signed by Berry and Mackay of Aberdeen, c. 1890
  
• References:
  • Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C. Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989. pp 156-61 
  • T.N. Clarke, A.D. Morrison-Low and A.D.C. Simpson (1989): "Brass and Glass 
• Translations:
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