Description

A used but NOT abused miniature sextant signed “Cary, London” and “Made in England”. Serial number 3456, it is constructed from bright and anodised brass with enamelled highlights. 4 inch radius, 5 inch arc circle reading out to 180 degrees (miniature Quintant?), this instrument was military issue probably for the Crimean War (1853-56) and was one of the last instruments made by Cary exclusively, as Porter took over the Firm in 1856.

Every screw is intact and NOT bruised. I have not cleaned the instrument in any way, therefore some of the surfaces are dulled from use and age e.g. the vernier which reads to one arcsecond and the telescope which was probably used for spotting. The frame is a robust cross frame design (cast), the mirrors are 95%, only TWO light filters fore and aft (round and square). The mahogany handle is  square notched and folding (marked with an I). The vernier operates by elaborate worm and screw (perfect) and the eyepiece is non focal (fixed optics) with unusual threading (repeated inside the eyepiece holder of the frame-(see photo). There is one solar filter in the case.  The instrument still operates smoothly with good optics.

The case is a modified pentagonal mahogany box wrapped in leather for field use. It obviously had a restraining strap to hold the contents and probably a shoulder strap (now missing). The stitching is intact. It measures 6 1/2 x 6 x 3 inches (irregular) and has a slot for the eyepice and filter internally. Good hinge.

This is an important instrument for the collector. Firstly, functional and untouched cosmetically. Secondly, made by Cary in last years of the Cary workshop existance. Thirdly, military issue (Crimean War connection). Lastly, miniature with odd scale.