pocket sextant
Date1800-1850
Inventory Number5313
ClassificationSextant
Subject
Maker
Thomas Parnell (I)
?
fl. 1784 - 1811
Maker
William Parnell
?
fl. 1811 - 1839
Maker
Thomas Parnell (II)
fl. 1840 - 1869
User
Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory
1885-present
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsclosed: 3.7 × 7.3 × 7.3 cm (1 7/16 × 2 7/8 × 2 7/8 in.)
Material
AccessoriesNone
DescriptionBlackened brass cylindrical pocket sextant with a 1.7" radius. The circular, blackened brass platform supports an index arm with a magnifier and a silver scale reading -5° to 140°, subdivided to 30' with vernier to 1' and magnifier.
There is a pinhole sight with green shade. An adjustment tool is attached.
Note German table inside cover.
There is a pinhole sight with green shade. An adjustment tool is attached.
Note German table inside cover.
Signedengraved on index plate: Parnell London
ProvenanceBlue Hill Meteorological Observatory
Historical AttributesCould have been made by any of the Parnell family.
Benjamin Messer
Date: 1800-1820
Accessories: Keystone mahogany box, telescope
Object number: 5310
William Elliott & Sons
Date: 1850-1853
Accessories: case, telescope
Object number: DW0318
Ebenezer Hoppé
Date: circa 1809
Accessories: On 6/23/98, a telescope was found (1998-1-1412) that may belong to part of this sextant.
Object number: 5309
William Gerrard
Date: 1862-1890
Accessories: rectangular mahogany box, telescopes (2), sight tube, eyepiece shade, eyepiece
Object number: 5263
Peter A. Feathers
Date: 1842-1874
Accessories: Square mahogany box, one shade tube (8.4 cm), one erecting telescope (8.3 cm), and one inverting telescope (18.3 cm) with four crosshairs, one pin tool
Object number: 5333
Heath & Company, Ltd.
Date: 1875-1890
Accessories: 7 1/8" telescope, 3 1/4" shade tube, 3 1/4" telescope, eyepiece shade, and mahogany box. with "4" on lid and "H" on front
Object number: 5311
Riggs & Brother
Date: 1820-1840
Accessories: keystone mahogany box, telescope, eyepiece shade
Object number: 5245
Spencer, Browning, & Company
Date: 1845-1860
Accessories: Keystone mahogany box, sight tube, telescopes (2, 3.25" and 7"), sunshade, adjustment tool
Object number: 5317