![](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/53/474/large_thumbnail_1908_0128__0003_.jpg)
Wooden backstaff.
- Made:
- 1759 in Tower Hill
- maker:
- Jno Gilbert, John
![Wooden backstaff or Davis quadrant made by John Gilbert on](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/341/282/small_thumbnail_smg00077798.jpg)
![Wooden backstaff.](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/21/911/small_thumbnail_1912_0392__0006_.jpg)
![Wooden backstaff.](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/21/909/small_thumbnail_1912_0392__0004_.jpg)
![Wooden backstaff.](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/21/907/small_thumbnail_1912_0392__0002_.jpg)
![Wooden backstaff.](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/21/910/small_thumbnail_1912_0392__0005_.jpg)
![Wooden backstaff.](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/21/908/small_thumbnail_1912_0392__0003_.jpg)
![Wooden backstaff.](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/21/906/small_thumbnail_1912_0392__0001_.jpg)
Wooden backstaff or Davis quadrant made by John Gilbert on Tower, London for Henry Tindall, 26th January, 1759. The navigational instrument is fitted with boxwood circular scales (30°arc 0-25, 60°arc 0-65 & 1’ divisions) on a mahogany frame, a signed inlay wooden plate and decorative stars are stamped on the end of the arcs. The backstaff is incomplete lacking both its vanes.