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Here's a link to a picture of a a SNO-M. It is the last one down, left column.

 

 

A link to the forgery. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=66638&item=3759267626&rd=

 

1. The frame, and  the shade glasses are from a SNO-M. Early WW II Plath's had a similar frame design, but the handle is the give-away.

2. Its my opinion that the index arm is likely from a German Kreisgsmarine sextant since the serial number does not match the frame. Both Plath, Tamaya and the Russians used a similar quick release clamp at one time or another.

3. The case is from a Tamaya M series sextant ca 1977

4. There seems to be two prismatic scopes pictured. The one mounted is a Tamaya 7 x 35, while the one shown in the case appears longer and could be a Tamaya 7 x 50.

5. The micrometer wheel looks German. It is not an M series Tamaya

6.. The Plath logo on the frame is obviously newly engraved and painted

7. The shade caps for the scopes are Tamaya

8. The C. Plath tags are forged

9. The handle is Russian, but I can't account for the C. Plath logo which appears to be molded on to the handle. That may be the best of the fogery.

10. The rising piece that fits a scope to Plath, Tamaya, and Russian sextants are all made the same. The one on the scope looks like the correct Tamaya assembly. Why not paint it is a puzzle.

11. The hardware on the case is typical cheap stamped Tamaya parts.

 

Alex had most of these in his various messages. I think he said something about missing illumination on the SNO-M. In my experience, I have never seen a SNO-T or SNO-M with illumination. The SNO-M is/was made for the Russian Merchant Marine and is not of the same quality as the SNO-T. They generally sell for about $100.00 less in Russia.

 

Someone mentioned something about plywood as not being correct to the period concerning the case. Not so. Glued up wood was used in the Mosquito bombers, PT boats and mine sweeps.

 

Joel Jacobs