octant
Datecirca 1760
Inventory Number1996-1-0142
ClassificationOctant
Subject
Maker
English
Repaired by
Ebenezer Gay
CHSI Assistant Curator
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensionsoctant: 44.3 × 37.3 × 7.5 cm (17 7/16 × 14 11/16 × 2 15/16 in.)
box: 10 × 47 × 43.3 cm (3 15/16 × 18 1/2 × 17 1/16 in.)
box: 10 × 47 × 43.3 cm (3 15/16 × 18 1/2 × 17 1/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriescase
DescriptionThis large mahogany octant was badly damaged and taken on as a "charity case" by Ebenezer Gay, who restored it. The octant has the traditional T-frame. The index arm has brass plating at its lower end. Radius is 15.625 inches. There is a clamping screw.
The limb has an ivory scale with very worn numerals and divisions from 0° - 90° every 20'. The ivory scale on the vernier has no markings and may be one of the replacements. Other parts include a front sight with dual pinholes and a rotating cover, a back pinhole sight, 3 index shades and two slots in the frame for them, half-silvered horizon glasses for the front sight and back sight (both glasses with adjustment hardware on the rear of the frame), 3 brass feet, and a pencil with an ivory top. An ivory memo plate is on the rear of the frame.
Stepped keystone oak box built in 1983. The exterior is painted green.
The limb has an ivory scale with very worn numerals and divisions from 0° - 90° every 20'. The ivory scale on the vernier has no markings and may be one of the replacements. Other parts include a front sight with dual pinholes and a rotating cover, a back pinhole sight, 3 index shades and two slots in the frame for them, half-silvered horizon glasses for the front sight and back sight (both glasses with adjustment hardware on the rear of the frame), 3 brass feet, and a pencil with an ivory top. An ivory memo plate is on the rear of the frame.
Stepped keystone oak box built in 1983. The exterior is painted green.
Signedstamped on ivory name plate: REBUILT BY EBENEZER GAY / HINGHAM MASS. 1983
Inscribedpaper card affixed to case:
English sextant ca. 1760 / extensively rebuilt in 1983 by / Ebenezer Gay, Hingham, Mass- /
Original parts consist of the main arm, index arm, index bracket and / plate, main bearing and nut, front and / back horizon brackets, mounts, levers / and wing nuts, one foot and ten out / of twenty-eight screws-- /
Discarded by the Harvard Collection / of Historical Scientific Instruments / in 1972 and taken on as a test of skill.
Curatorial RemarksExtensively rebuilt by Ebenezer Gay, 1983.
ProvenanceHarvard Collection of Scientific Instruments, before 1972; deaccessioned and turned over to Ebenezer Gay, 1972 who restored it in 1983; gift to CHSI 1983.
E. & G. W. Blunt
Date: 1825-1860
Accessories: Keystone box (1996-1-0172b).
Object number: 1996-1-0172a
