A Masterpiece of Victorian Navigation – The Heath & Co. "Triple Ring" Professional Sextant.
 
A superb example of British maritime history: a late 19th-century professional brass sextant by the renowned Heath & Co. Ltd. of Crayford, London.
 
This instrument features the iconic and highly sought-after "Triple Ring" frame design, engineered for maximum stability on the high seas. Engraved on the arc with the maker’s prestigious London address, this sextant represents the pinnacle of 1800s scientific instrument making. The Triple Ring (or "Three Ring") frame was a Heath specialty. It was designed to be incredibly rigid to prevent the frame from warping in extreme temperatures at sea, which would throw off the delicate silvered scale readings. This was the age of the "Iron Steamship," where high-precision navigation was life-or-death for the British Merchant and Royal Navies.
 
Technical Highlights:
Frame: Solid brass Triple Ring design for thermal stability.
 
Scale: Original inlaid silvered scale, finely calibrated for precision.
 
Optics: Complete with various interchangeable telescopes, sighting tubes, and indexed sun filters.
 
Case: Housed in its original French polished mahogany box (26cm x 24cm) with its original brass carry handle and secure transit locks.
 
Also included is an earlier bill of sale from 70 years ago, dated May 30th 1956.
 
Condition Report:
The sextant is in remarkable antique condition. The brass retains a beautiful aged patina, and the silvered scale is crisp and legible. All mirrors and filters are intact except the last square filter which misses it's glass, and the mechanical movement of the index arm is smooth. The mahogany case is structurally sound with a deep, rich lustre, the key is original and works the lock.
 
A centrepiece for a nautical collection, a maritime-themed office, or a unique gift for a modern-day sailor.
 
A really nice example, the case measures 26 x 24 x 13cm (10" x 9.5" x 5").