HM Coast Guard Station Officers' Sextant- G.A. Sherman

  Fine, late Victorian era sextant. Originally commissioned for G.A. Sherman, a technical officer in the Royal Air Force. As part of the Joint Directorate of Research Development Unit for the RAF, he worked closely with Scotland’s HM Coastguard during his time at the Burghead Coast Guard Station. This fine sextant is complete and in excellent condition. Sold in it’s original dovetailed mahogany hinged case. The case features a lock, additional hook, and eye latches. 

A brass nameplate mounted on the lid reads “ G. A. Sherman, Coast Guard Station, Burghead N.B.” The N.B. (North Britain) was common for postal addresses in Scotland before falling out of use by the early twentieth century.

   The label inside the upper lid is for the reseller, George Lee, and Son. The label states, “George, Lee, and Son, Manufacturers of Optical and Nautical Instruments, Contractors to the Admiralty, 33 the Hard, Portsmith.”

   The maker's name is engraved on the graduated arc. It reads “Potter, Poultry, London”  and refers to John Potter, who worked at 31 poultry in the city of London. Potter was an instrument maker to the Admiralty.

   The sextant comes with four telescopes, two shaded eyepieces, a small square-socket wrench for adjusting the optics, and a package of Japanese lens paper.

Weight: 9 lbs. 10.2 oz. 

Dimensions: 11.75” x 11.00” x 5.25”

Officer Information Source: UK, Royal Air Force Lists, 1919-1945 

Full name
Sherman, G. A.
Military service date:
Nov 1938
Occupation:
Technical Officers
Unit:
Joint Directorate of Research Development
Branch:
British Air Force
Conflict Period:
Other Service
Served for:
United Kingdom

Archive Location:
Edinburgh, Scotland
Occupation:
Technical Officers
Series Title:
British Air Force Lists
Military Service Date:
Jan 1939