Welcome to the NavList Message Boards.

NavList:

A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding

Compose Your Message

Message:αβγ
Message:abc
Add Images & Files
    Name or NavList Code:
    Email:
       
    Reply
    Re: C. 1830 Octant
    From: Brendan Kinch
    Date: 2014 Oct 14, 07:41 +0200

    Sorry John…..I misread your original post. You said "JOH NYMAN" was actually on the cross-arm……..that would have been the name of the original owner most likely. But I would still guess at Benjamin Messer as the manufacturer.

     

    From: NavList@fer3.com [mailto:NavList@fer3.com] On Behalf Of Brendan Kinch
    Sent: 13 October 2014 22:16
    To: BrenKinch@gmail.com
    Subject: [NavList] Re: C. 1830 Octant

     

    Not too much comes to the fore when looking for a suitable diagram.

     

    This may give you the general idea.

    1.   https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSmiGh_eierclvXBd2C1fFtYg8nnsDUT8b9drKQFtQMA214GStYKg

     

    There has been discussion here before as to how practical all this was – but not relevant to your question as to what the vertical slot was (though I always saw this as a horizontal gap).

    The open slot between both mirrors was so that the shades could be used on the upper or lower mirrors – they can be slipped out of one position and into the second without too much trouble. I am sure you can test that on your own octant.

     

    Kinch.

     

    From: NavList@fer3.com [mailto:NavList@fer3.com] On Behalf Of Brendan Kinch
    Sent: 13 October 2014 21:11
    To: BrenKinch---.com
    Subject: [NavList] Re: C. 1830 Octant

     

    Hi John,

     

    First we can have a look at the name Mefser. That is old English for Messer and quite likely this octant was made by Benjamin Messer (1729-1827) and as such will be an older octant than that previously enquired about on this site. I say this because of the construction  - it would fall in with Benjamin Messer dates. Is there any chance that ‘JOH NYMAN’ as you have quoted is BENJAMAN or similar. (Sometimes the spelling on old instruments – even names – leaves one wondering).

     

    John Crichton (mentioned yesterday) was an apprentice of Benjamin Messer.

     

    As for the lower mirror – this was for back sights. The slot in the middle was for viewing the back horizon……I’ll have a look see if I can find a diagram to better explain. (Or perhaps someone else has one handy?)

     

    Kinch.

     

    From: NavList@fer3.com [mailto:NavList@fer3.com] On Behalf Of John Karl
    Sent: 13 October 2014 20:16
    To: BrenKinch---.com
    Subject: [NavList] Re: C. 1830 Octant

     

    Bill & All,

    Those are two good looking octants.  The one in the attached pic is not in quite as good shape.  But can anyone comment on this octant.  On the frame's cross arm it says "JOH NYMAN" and on the left end of the arc it says "Mefser" above the scale, and "London" below the scale.  The letter "s" in "Mefser" is not very clear, and neither is the "r."

    The mirror below the horizon mirror is mirrored on both sides with a clear vertical slot down the center.  Whay this for?  And what is the open slot in the frame between these two mirrors for??

    JK



    Attached File:

    (Octant-2.jpg: Open and save)

       
    Reply
    Browse Files

    Drop Files

    NavList

    What is NavList?

    Get a NavList ID Code

    Name:
    (please, no nicknames or handles)
    Email:
    Do you want to receive all group messages by email?
    Yes No

    A NavList ID Code guarantees your identity in NavList posts and allows faster posting of messages.

    Retrieve a NavList ID Code

    Enter the email address associated with your NavList messages. Your NavList code will be emailed to you immediately.
    Email:

    Email Settings

    NavList ID Code:

    Custom Index

    Subject:
    Author:
    Start date: (yyyymm dd)
    End date: (yyyymm dd)

    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site
    Visit this site