Sextant on e-bay, why so expensive?

J

john_morris_uk

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Is this another example of someone not knowing the value of something, or am I missing something here? I am no great expert on old sextants, but I am in the market for one, and I have been watching a few on e-bay. The link shos one that is hundreds of pounds more expensive that most go for. Is it an espcially rare collectors item, or does Ms Frenchman not know what these things go for
 
That is a very special and rare time travelling instrument, did you not notice that it is two years older in French than it is in English?
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
If you are in the market for a quality old sextant you might be in for a bit of a shock. Have a look here
They do have a cheaper one made in the German Democratic Republic for a couple of hundred quid
 
There must be hundreds of sextants sitting in a MOD warehouse . All the ships I served in had several and with so few ships in commission these days, they must all gathering dust somewhere. !
 
[ QUOTE ]
If you are in the market for a quality old sextant you might be in for a bit of a shock. Have a look here
They do have a cheaper one made in the German Democratic Republic for a couple of hundred quid

[/ QUOTE ]But if you search 'recent completed sales' on e-bay, Hughes Sextants sell for £150 plus or minus. A few sextants go for £200 plus, but generally I'm not in the market for anything that expensive - just something to replace the plastic one I've had for years.

(I remember having to explain in my Astro oral examination that the reason that the index error was different for every sight was that after taking the sight, I would always cut the horizon or a star to check it as the plastic warped in the sun/cool.)
 
I have a German one in its original bakalite case circa 1950 but for £200 it will look better on the shelf in my reading room. Then I can respond to interesting questions by mentioning my RYA Oceanmaster certificate .................

.........................and still not really be competent in any sense to use it!!

I think my 24" slide rule should look nice alongside it.

SWMBO will not be allowed to spoil the appearance of my room with IKEA ornaments.....if I her ask nicely!
 
you can get good quality plastic ones for under 150 quid, just "google" sextants for sale. in fact force 4 are selling one for under 40 quid. Dont know how true this story is but i remember an old sea dog telling me that when he dropped his sextant and broke one of the mirrors he made a tempory one out of 2 pencils a few elastic bands and some mirrors.
 
There is an old 'chandler' in Teignmouth who buy in bulk from shipbreakers all over Europe. They have sextants in from time to time and will put you on a mailing list. Sorry, can't find them on Google and can't remember their name. Lots of interesting stuff there - eg complete set of silverware from wardroom on HM ship. Now that's handy! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

There's also a nautical instrument shop in Hamble who get them in from time to time (and can check a used one over for you).

I had a look and finally setlled for a £150 Davis micrometer jobbie.
 
The price varies depending on the make,condition and desirability.

Seems this creates a normal range from £200 to £900 plus.

You should get a good one for around £200 if you look around but it might not have all the bits for stars and sun.

Many ships retain them for the day the GPS goes on the blink.
 
the 'old chandler in Teignmouth'

is this who you mean:


Brigantine Chandlery & Sales
telephone: 01626 872400 Brigantine, Strand, Teignmouth. TQ14 0DL

janek
 
[ QUOTE ]
you can get good quality plastic ones for under 150 quid, just "google" sextants for sale. in fact force 4 are selling one for under 40 quid. Dont know how true this story is but i remember an old sea dog telling me that when he dropped his sextant and broke one of the mirrors he made a tempory one out of 2 pencils a few elastic bands and some mirrors.

[/ QUOTE ]I have got a 'plastic one' - it cost £5 at a jumble sale. It will do for now, but I just fancy a proper brass one...
 
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