Atqe. DE KEMEL BROTHERS, BELGIUM Marine Navigational Brass Sextant in Orig. Box

Description

From my Navigational Collection:  Here we have an
Antique DE KEMEL BROTHERS, ANTWERP (Belgium) Marine Navigational Brass Sextant in the Original Box.
De Kemel is a famous family of clockmakers starting with Charles Nicolas De Kemel maker of ships chronometers for the Belgian navy.  They worked from 1790-1869. Felix (son of Charles) worked from 1837-1869 and was also an optician who sold barometers, binoculars and clocks imported from France. The 'Brothers' reference on their maker mark are most likely Felix's sons.  The Graduated Arc has their company maker's mark.
The Sextant frame is made of solid brass and has some oxidation from its use in the sea air.
The main open lattice type frame is black japanned to reduce refection while performing sightings at sea.
The sextant has a good set of Index and Horizon mirrors.  It also has a good 4-piece set of Index Filter Shades and a 3-piece set of Horizon Filter Shades.  No cracks or breaks in glass
.
The large graduated ar
c
has a very good Silvered index that ranges from -0.5 deg. to 1
6
0 degrees.  There is a very good Vernier Index at the end of
the
main indexing arm that has a fine-threaded brass adjuster and a brass locking knob.  There is an excellent swing-arm small magnifying glass for reading the Vernier scale. The Sextant comes with
three (3)
scopes and a round knob brass spike for adjustments.  The open frame is fitted with a beautiful Rosewood handle that has brass fittings to attach it to the frame.  No cracks in the handle.   All of this comes packed in a very nice,
dovetail
-jointed Mahogany box that has good brass fixtures.
The brass handle has gone missing over the years.
There is a crack in the
wood floor of the box
.  No key for the lock. This is a very nice piece that still has the original patina and some green oxidation from being used at Sea. I see no cracks, breaks, or repairs in the sextant.  No owner's marks.
A great piece to add to your collection !!
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