CASED MARINE SEXTANT

Brass Boxed Presentation Sextant, circa 1850. Eight inch brass sextant with cast brass frame, riveted and screwed top plates. The horizontal bears the engraved inscription "Presented by the Lords of the Admiralty of Great Britain and Ireland, to Mr. Alexander Baxter, Master of the United States Ship 'Cleone', for the humanity and intrepidity displayed by him in proceeding to the rescue of the Crew of the British Brig Elizabeth of Harrington from the sinking wreck of the vessel on the 29th Dec. 1851." The sextant has a sliding radius arm with vernier and magnifier, horizon mirror, sun shades. Stored in the case are three brass telescopes. The sextant retains the original mahogany box, which has a brass plate repeating the inscription above. Instrument: 9- 1/2" x 10- 3/4" x 3- 5/8", case: 11- 1/2" x 12- 7/8" x 5". The instrument is complete but lacks the engraved scale on the register. The box has some filled shrinkage cracks. Note: A letter appeared in the New York Times on June 24, 1852, reporting the transfer of this sextant from the British Government to Hugh Maxwell, Collector of Customs, New York.