Antique Octant by Steele & Co, Liverpool
ANTIQUE OCTANT. No.3
A fine early 19th century navigators Octant made by Steele & Co, Liverpool with applied makers plate.
The Octant’s ‘T’ shaped frame is constructed from ebony with brass fittings and ivory scales. The arc scale is crisp and clearly engraved, reading from -2 degrees to 106 degrees and further divided into 20 minutes of arc. This Octant can measure angles of up to 92 degrees.
The scale is also engraved SBR (Spencer Browning & Rust) near the 50 degree mark, this indicates that this Octant's ivory scale was made by Spencer Browning & Rust who produced navigation instruments from 1784 to 1840.
There is a set of three sunshades for both the index arm mirror and the horizon mirror. Double-hole sighting pinnula with swing cover. Concealed pencil compartment with screw on ivory cap.
This Octant has a braced brass index arm, which is fitted with an ivory Vernier scale engraved from 0 to 20 and reading 1 minute of arc. There is a clamping screw to the reverse side with a fine adjustment tangent screw off to the side.
The ivory makers plaque is situated on the crossbar of the octant frame and is engraved Steele & Co, Liverpool. Steele & Co are recorded as working from an address in Liverpool from 1828 to 1851.
This Octant is complete with its original wooden, stepped keystone shaped oak box.
Height of Octant: 12 inches / 30 cm, Radius of Octant: 9.5 inches / 24cm.
Front side of the antique octant .
A close up of the antique octant showing ivory scale and index arm Vernier.
Oak stepped keystone shaped Octant box.
Close up of the Octant's ivory makers plaque.
Reverse side of the antique octant.
Antique ebony Octant in storage box.
Close up showing detail of antique navigators Octant.
Close up of scale showing S.B.R. initials.
Close up showing detail of antique navigators Octant.
Close up showing detail of antique navigators Octant.
Close up showing detail of antique navigators Octant.
Close up of mirror adjustment to the rear of the Octant.
