Can you add to the list of sextant numbers?

[Andrew M McKenna]

Another Brandis on eBay today

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-BRANDIS-SUNS-NAUTICAL-SEXTANT-/171660383803?ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

Photos aren't good but you can barely see the USNO #3806 in one, and this number was verified by the seller, but I haven't been able to get them to relate if there is a Brandis number on the unit.  I've emailed a photo of where to find it and I hope to get a reply.  Seller does not seem to be a native English speaker.

Andrew

[Andrew M McKenna]

This Sextant was purchased by a TIGHAR member, who reports the following numbers:

Brandis Box #3806

Brandis # 127
US Navy # 1879

I don't think we've seen a 3 digit Brandis number before.

Andrew

[Ric Gillespie]

I don't think we've seen a 3 digit Brandis number before.

I agree.  As far as I know, Brandis numbers were sequential.  If so, this is an unusually early Brandis with a typical Naval Observatory number in a typical Brandis box.




modified to correct markup symbols

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

Brandis Box #3806

Brandis # 127
US Navy # 1879

OK, I've added it to the table.

It sits right next to 1880.

Code Select Expand


Brandis   127  1879                      purchased by TIGHAR member
Brandis  4297  1880  1939-09-18  TIGHAR - McKenna                 


[Ric Gillespie]

Another Brandis has turned up on eBay.  Facebook reader Barbara Olds says, " The box is stamped Brandis and there's a stencilled 4934 near the hingess.   The sextant has a NO number 2687.  I can't see the Brandis number on the sextant and I can't see an NO number on the box."
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-BRANDIS-amp-SON-039-S-SEXTANT-STAMPED-U-S-NAVY-ORIG-BOX-PRICED-2-SELL-/311227938621?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4876a1773d&nma=true&si=FEQ7%252BIpQKlh6Pzfrq4q2AyhoCtw%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

Another Brandis has turned up on eBay.  Facebook reader Barbara Olds says, " The box is stamped Brandis and there's a stencilled 4934 near the hingess.   The sextant has a NO number 2687.  I can't see the Brandis number on the sextant and I can't see an NO number on the box."
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-BRANDIS-amp-SON-039-S-SEXTANT-STAMPED-U-S-NAVY-ORIG-BOX-PRICED-2-SELL-/311227938621?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4876a1773d&nma=true&si=FEQ7%252BIpQKlh6Pzfrq4q2AyhoCtw%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

We've got that one in the table already.  You can tell that Andrew was there--see the intelligent question in the comment field.   ;D

[Jerry Germann]

http://www.westsea.com/05navmilitary.html

Item 5.58 ....

Number 3832    Navy Number 4831

Was this one added, don't know info on it.

http://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-802087/rare-wwii-us-navy-brandis-sextant-naval-navigation-instrument-antique-1942-2.html

[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

http://www.westsea.com/05navmilitary.html

Item 5.58 ....

Number 3832    Navy Number 4831

Thanks.  That's new.  Added to table.

Was this one added, don't know info on it.

http://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-802087/rare-wwii-us-navy-brandis-sextant-naval-navigation-instrument-antique-1942-2.html

Without one number or the other, I can't tell whether it's been added or not.

[Andrew M McKenna]

Marty

We have a correction on the numbers of this sextant.  Seems that the Brandis number is actually 3806 to match the box, with 127 imprinted elsewhere on the sextant.  Not sure what this means as I don't think we've seen a third number pop up on a sextant before.  In any case, we're back to only 4 digit Brandis numbers.

Brandis 3806
Navy 1879

I'll actually get a chance to see this instrument a week from now and will have a better idea after that.

Andrew

Brandis Box #3806

Brandis # 127
US Navy # 1879

OK, I've added it to the table.

It sits right next to 1880.

Code Select Expand


Brandis   127  1879                      purchased by TIGHAR member
Brandis  4297  1880  1939-09-18  TIGHAR - McKenna                 


[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

We have a correction on the numbers of this sextant.  Seems that the Brandis number is actually 3806 to match the box

OK.  Fixed.

... with 127 imprinted elsewhere on the sextant.  Not sure what this means as I don't think we've seen a third number pop up on a sextant before.

Not that anyone has mentioned, at any rate, as far as I can recall.

[Ric Gillespie]

In any case, we're back to only 4 digit Brandis numbers.

That's rather comforting.

[Andrew M McKenna]

New eBay listing

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-BRANDIS-SONS-NAUTICAL-SEXTANT-Original-Box-Amazing-L-K-/191524090278?ssPageName=ADME:SS:SS:US:3160

Looks to me like the serial number is on the right end of the arc and it indicated NO 2539.  Typically the Brandis numbers are 4 digits at the left end of the arc.

And it has a hand etched number on the frame of 161-U(?)SN-252222.  Usually the USN number is hand etched at the middle of the arc.

This one is interesting.  It is an F.E. Brandis, Sons & Co, Brooklyn NY unit, which would seem to pre-date the Brandis & Sons Mfgr Co.  Here is a quick history from the Smithsonian site:

http://amhistory.si.edu/surveying/maker.cfm?makerid=5

Frederick Ernest Brandis (1845–1916) was born in Germany, came to the United States in 1858, worked for Stackpole & Brother for a few years, and then opened his own instrument shop in 1871. The firm became F. Brandis & Co. in 1875, F. E. Brandis, Sons & Co. in 1890, and Brandis & Sons Mfg. Co. in 1916. The Pioneer Instrument Company purchased control of Brandis in 1922, and sold it to the Bendix Aviation Corporation in 1928. The manufacture of Brandis instruments ceased in 1932.

So, it would seem that this unit had to be manufactured between 1890 and 1916.  Perhaps it pre-dates most of the sextants we've seen, hence the unusual placement of the serial number.

I've asked the seller if there are any other numbers on the instrument or the box.

Andrew

[Andrew M McKenna]

Here is another curio on eBay, a 1947 Russian Navy sextant

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Old-1947-Russian-Navy-brass-sextant-with-2-telescopes-Fleuriais-Astronomic/251832763370?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D777000%26algo%3DABA.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131227121020%26meid%3D84045c8378cd4433b5a4749aa20ed7f5%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D311120554396

there is a prominent number on the frame- 4341, and there are some other numbers associated with it that I don't really understand, but include 253 on what looks like a 1957 tag of some sort, and 162 on an older card of some sort. 

The little brass plate on the box also has several numbers including  901, No. 162, and 338, along with 1947.

My guess is that 162 is an instrument serial number, and 4341 may be a Russian Navy number.  901 a model number?

Also interesting that it appears there is some sort of light with wires going to the handle where there is a button switch.  Copy of a Byrd design?


Anyone read Russian?

Andrew

[Andrew M McKenna]

Correction to the correction

Upon closer inspection, it would appear that this unit is Navy 4879 rather than 1879, see attached photos

Andrew

Marty

We have a correction on the numbers of this sextant.  Seems that the Brandis number is actually 3806 to match the box, with 127 imprinted elsewhere on the sextant.  Not sure what this means as I don't think we've seen a third number pop up on a sextant before.  In any case, we're back to only 4 digit Brandis numbers.

Brandis 3806
Navy 1879

I'll actually get a chance to see this instrument a week from now and will have a better idea after that.

Andrew

Brandis Box #3806

Brandis # 127
US Navy # 1879

OK, I've added it to the table.

It sits right next to 1880.

Code Select Expand


Brandis   127  1879                      purchased by TIGHAR member
Brandis  4297  1880  1939-09-18  TIGHAR - McKenna                 


[Martin X. Moleski, SJ]

Upon closer inspection, it would appear that this unit is Navy 4879 rather than 1879, see attached photos

Fixed.