A massive 18th C. sextant by the esteemed London maker and noted optician, Peter Dollond. This sextant measures 18 inches high and an incredible 19 inches wide. It has limbs of mahogany and a strong observer would have held it by means of the octagonally faceted ebony handle on the reverse. It has all of the characteristics of a sextant including its handle, an arc divided to 125 degrees, tangential fine adjust screw, detachable telescope, and built-in horizon shades. Yet the addition of a vernier magnifier was not yet necessary due to it huge size. Circa 1780. Note the engraved brass scale, popular with the earliest sextant makers. (Private Collection. Photo West Sea Co.)