NavList:

Earlier this year, I acquired (thanks to a member of this list) a 1941-vintage Tamaya Coutinho-style sextant. It is in remarkable condition given its age and the fact that it must have gone through the war. It has all its scopes including the all-important bi-focal scope, as well as cleaning tools, spare bubbles, spare light bulbs and even the original D-size batteries. The latter haven't leaked -- I guess that even batteries were better made in the old days!

I have done some preliminary checking to see if anyone is familiar with this particular style. Mostly I have been greeted with surprise, though I note that I haven't yet been in touch with Tamaya. I am thus beginning to suspect that this is a scarce sextant (though it is numbered "no.564" on the box and the sextant), particularly if one assumes that it is likely that any others made were used/lost in WW II.

I would love to hear from anyone who might have any info, leads on this particular style. And once I have researched it thoroughly, (and if it turns out to be rare/historically significant), I expect I will see that it goes to an appropriate museum or the like. Of course now that I have speculated that it is a rare instrument, watch a dozen identical sextants show up on eBay! ;-)

Feel free to contact me directly so I don't distract the rest of the list with my quest for info. And I am happy to send more detailed photos to anyone who might be interested.

best
-p

----------------------------------------------------------------
NavList message boards and member settings: www.fer3.com/NavList
Members may optionally receive posts by email.
To cancel email delivery, send a message to NoMail[at]fer3.com
----------------------------------------------------------------

File:

File: