Can you add to the list of sextant numbers?

[Jimmie Tyler]

Hi All

Could the box under Fred Noonan's hat be a sextant box ?

You can see the hat clearly overlap's side's of box so we have good idea of box size.

Worth a closer look i believe

Thank's Richie

   Hi Richie, from all the sextant boxes I've looked at, it sure seems plausible that it is one. In the upper right corner of the box you can see a segmented horizontal line going across the box. Seems that would signify that the "box" in the picture opens just as a sextant box would.. Or maybe it's just a stepping block, to reach higher while working on the aircraft. ???  ::)

[Doug Giese]

Could the box under Fred Noonan's hat be a sextant box ?

I don't think so. I applied a couple sharpening filters and the dark spots appear to be just blotches.

If there was a sextant in the box, placing it where it could be easily kicked then covering it with a hat doesn't seem like something Noonan would do. Of course, maybe that's why they couldn't find Howland.

[richie conroy]

Hi Doug

I believe the hat an sextant box are at least 10 to 12 feet away from work area

But on a serious note why would you kick a box an then cover it with a hat ?

I believe you would place all belongings in one spot near or far from abode ?

Thanks Richie

[richie conroy]

Doug

Can i ask you your reasoning behind previous comments ?

[Doug Giese]

Can i ask you your reasoning behind previous comments ?

Just because a delicate piece of optical equipment would be handled with care. It looks like it's 5-6 feet away from the nearest worker where it could be easily kicked and knocked out of alignment. I just felt that an experienced navigator like Noonan would take particular care of his sextant.

I certainly don't know what was going on.

[Jimmie Tyler]

 Found another Brandis & sons, http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/solid-brass-w-silver-inlay-brandis-sons-sextant    Has NO# 1810, and no box...

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

Found another Brandis & sons, http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/solid-brass-w-silver-inlay-brandis-sons-sextant    Has NO# 1810, and no box...

Thanks, Jimmie.

We need the other number--the Brandis serial number--to make a pair for the sextant table.

[Jimmie Tyler]

Found another Brandis & sons, http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/solid-brass-w-silver-inlay-brandis-sons-sextant    Has NO# 1810, and no box...

Thanks, Jimmie.

We need the other number--the Brandis serial number--to make a pair for the sextant table.

You are quite welcome Mr. Moleski, to bad there was not a better description for us. I will make sure both numbers are documented, on any future post I make within this thread.

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

... too bad there was not a better description for us. I will make sure both numbers are documented, on any future post I make within this thread.

I've modified the first post in this thread to make it more clear that, at a minimum, we are interested in the maker's number and the Naval Observatory number.

Hope that helps.   :)

[Jimmie Tyler]

 Hello all, I have put quite a bit of time into trying to add to the list of sextant numbers. A few months ago I spoke with a veteran Navy Captain of 27 years. I explained what we were looking for. He told me to try to contact the "office of the oceanographer of the Navy, or the Bureau of Navy Aviation" He stated that the answers we seek might possibly turn up there. I have not had much luck, however I know I could be trying harder. Which I intend to do. I just thought with all of the professionals and military personnel that are engaged in this forum, one of you might have alot more strings to pull on then myself. It's a world of strings... Which one's can you pull?     

[Andrew M McKenna]

Looks like another Brandis showed up on eBay, Navy 1982 and Brandis 4717.  In the photos all I can see is the USNO label, and 4717 stenciled on the corner of the box.  I've asked the seller if he can verify any numbers on the arc of the instrument. 

Price is way out of line with past sales by about a factor of 3.  No wonder they're offering free shipping....

amck

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

Looks like another Brandis showed up on eBay, Navy 1982 and Brandis 4717.

I've added it to the list.

[Andrew M McKenna]

The plot thickens

seller tells me that the USNO number etched on the arc is actually 4017, not 4717, and he didn't find the Brandis number on the arc.  I've tried to direct him to where he can find the Brandis number, so hopefully he will see it and report what it is.  I've asked him to provide photos of the numbers, and check the old label on the box.  Box does have what looks to me to be 4717 stenciled near the hinge, but the second digit is a bit fuzzy.

So, we may actually get two pairs of numbers out of this set - 1982 and 4717, and xxxx with 4017.

Stay tuned.

amck

[Andrew M McKenna]

Ok, here is the latest from the seller

The Sextant itself is USNO 4017 and Brandis 5156

The Box is USNO 4717 and Brandis 1982

He said he'd send me photos

Andrew

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

The Sextant itself is USNO 4017 and Brandis 5156

The Box is USNO 4717 and Brandis 1982

OK.  I think I've fixed the table.