Can you add to the list of sextant numbers?

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

I noticed that too.

My guess is that the one with the link to Bill Morris is probably correct, and the numbers of the other one are simply transposed 59 instead of 95.

OK.  That makes sense.  I'll color the questionable line and footnote it.

[Andrew M McKenna]

Marty

Searching the Forum for Bill Morris, I find this post from yourself, below.  Would appear that 2895 is the right Navy number.


Join the search / Re: Can you add to the list of sextant numbers?
« Message by Martin X. Moleski, SJ on July 21, 2010, 06:24:07 PM »
I've heard back from Bill Morris in New Zealand already (!).

He added two pairs of numbers to the list:

http://tighar.org/wiki/Sextant_box_found_on_Nikumaroro

Brandis 4180,  N.O. 2895
Brandis 4144,  N.O. 4449   

He doesn't have a lead on the master list but invited me to post on NavList: A Discussion Group Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Position-Finding.
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[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

Searching the Forum for Bill Morris, I find this post from yourself, below.  Would appear that 2895 is the right Navy number.

Yes, I had found that, too, last night.  I'll get rid of the 2859 entry.

It's not as though it is a make-or-break pair of numbers in any event!

[JNev]

Got to love the puzzle that this whole thing is.  Thanks Marty and Andrew and others who keep these details trickling forward - incredible patience.

[Andrew M McKenna]

It's only been 24 years so far....

A good puzzle keeps you interested doesn't it!

AMCK

[Andrew M McKenna]

New Brandis on eBay.  Notes indicate US Navy No 2959, which if accurate is not on our list, and fits right in the middle of several that are on the list.

I sent a question asking them if they could locate the Brandis number, and any other numbers on the box etc.  I also asked for better photos in general, and photos of the numbers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRANDIS-SON-SEXTANT-U-S-NAVY-ORIGINAL-BOX-BROOKLYN-NEW-YORK-/321533771378?

Will let you know what they say.

Andrew

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

Will let you know what they say.

Thanks, Andrew!

[Andrew M McKenna]

Seller says:

"HI NANY RTCHED IN CENTER OF ARC ANND ON THE FAR LEFT IS 5289 WILL PUT NEW PICTRES UP SHORTLY"

Which I presume to mean that the Navy number was etched in the center of the arc as I had asked, and the Brandis number at the left end of the arc is 5289. 

Must have big fingers and a small phone.

Navy 2959
Brandis 5289

Fits nicely in the matrix of numbers

amck

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

Navy 2959
Brandis 5289

OK, I've added that to the table of sextant numbers.

[Andrew M McKenna]

another Brandis listed on eBay today

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-BRANDIS-amp-SON-039-S-SEXTANT-STAMPED-U-S-NAVY-ORIG-BOX-PRICED-2-SELL-/311227938621?ssPageName=ADME:SS:SS:US:1120

I've asked the seller for the Brandis number, and any other numbers they can find.  Here is what came back:

USNO 2687
Brandis 4934
Box # 4934

Andrew

[Ryan Lavender]

I wasn't sure if this sextant was relevant to your database, but i didn't see it listed while searching the TIGHAR forums and wiki.

I am guessing it was not a calibrated US Navy item, but I'm not sure.

http://collections.si.edu/search/tag/tagDoc.htm?recordID=nasm_A19570637000

It was from the 'Brandis & Sons Mfg. Co.' era, from 1916 to 1932.

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

I wasn't sure if this sextant was relevant to your database, but i didn't see it listed while searching the TIGHAR forums and wiki.

I am guessing it was not a calibrated US Navy item, but I'm not sure.

It's the make that we've been investigating but, as you say, not the right kind of number.

We've been studying pairs of numbers to test the idea that the sextant found on Niku may have been a Navy or ex-Navy sextant. 

If a sextant doesn't have an "NO" number on it or on or in the box, then it doesn't help.

Even having more pairs of numbers will never be conclusive, unless we find an existing sextant box with one or the other of the numbers from Niku (Brandis 3500, NO 1542).  That would disqualify the box found on Niku as being part of this series, I suppose.

[Ric Gillespie]

What is curious to me about the Smithsonian sextant is that it supposedly includes a Wilson Bubble Telescope (supposedly making it usable from an aircraft) but I don't see anything in the box that looks like it might be a bubble telescope.

[Bruce Thomas]

another Brandis listed on eBay today

...

USNO 2687
Brandis 4934
Box # 4934

Andrew

Added to sextant table.

[Ryan Lavender]

What is curious to me about the Smithsonian sextant is that it supposedly includes a Wilson Bubble Telescope (supposedly making it usable from an aircraft) but I don't see anything in the box that looks like it might be a bubble telescope.

the bubble telescope I believe is the T-fitting eyepiece that is bronze colored.  I am basing that off the callouts in this image:

http://sextantbook.com/category/unusual-left-handed-sextant/

You can see this in the lower left corner of the box (hidden underneath the curved scale)

http://airandspace.si.edu/webimages/collections/full/A19570637000Cp06b.jpg