Mahogany and brass octant.

Made:
1770-1776 in Strand
maker:
John Bird
Octant made by John Bird, London, about 1772

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Octant made by John Bird, London, about 1772
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Octant made by John Bird, London, about 1772. Mahogany frame and limb with a lacquered brass index arm and fittings; the back of the limb is also brass-covered, and there is a wooden pad-shaped handle on the back of the frame. Signed on the scale: J. Bird London. Surface-mounted lacquered brass scale from 80° (-10°) to 100° every 20', measuring to 93°. Lacquered brass vernier to 1', zero at the centre. The tangent screw and clamping screw are fitted to the limb on a separate shoe, to the right of the index arm. Two socket shades (both red); two back sight socket shades (both red). Index-glass adjustment by screw; adjustment of the horizon glasses by levers, wing nuts and milled clamping screws. The sight vane is missing (broken) perpendicular adjustment by rising-piece and a milled knob; the back sight vane is missing. No box.

Details

Category:
Astronomy
Object Number:
1923-479
Materials:
mahogany (wood), copper (alloy) and glass
Measurements:
overall: 590 mm x 485 mm x 80 mm, , 2.49kg
type:
octant
credit:
Cooke, Troughton and Simms Ltd.