1943 Hezzanith Inst. Works "Rapid Reader" Sextant Start Price USD 795.00 Current Price USD 795.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 925.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, November 29, 2008 End Time Saturday, December 06, 2008 Location Bloomington, Indiana See more about '1943 Hezzanith Inst. Works "Rapid Reader" Sextant' Description Quite an amazing find!  In fact, I found this in a Goodwill!  Someone had donated it, likely without realizing its true value!  I got a great deal on it, and I can pass those savings on to you!This is an original Hezzanith Instruments Works Sextant offered through Heath & Co., New Eltham, London, S.E. 9.  This model uses the "Rapid Reader" feature, whereby the operator can disengage the gearing by squeezing a spring-loaded clamp just to the right of the adjustment knob, and then sweeping quickly through large angles.  The clamp is released, the gears are re-engaged, and the fine adjustment knob is then used to obtain the final reading.  Much, much easier than older sextants using only the knob to run through the entire arc (0 to 130 degress)!This particular sextant appears to have been imported into the United States either during or shortly after World War II.  This is deduced by the date on the "Certification of Examination" label (on the inside of the lid, dated 25 NOV 1943), or on the Informal Entry Manifest and Receipt (the writing is illegible under normal lighting, unfortunately), which has the generic date of "194_" - the user fills in the last digit.  Personally, I can't imagine this sextant being produced in 1943 and not being used during the War.  Perhaps the person who donated it to Goodwill served with the US Navy during the War and, likely many servicemen, took the sextant as a souvenir of their service!The instrument is in Very Fine to Excellent condition, with the following defects noted:A single crack in the white fine adjustment knob (Photo #6); it does not impact performance of the instrument, but should be reinforced with epoxy or some other adhesive to prevent further damage.A single, complete crack in one of the smoked glass sun shades (Photo #7); it does not appear to impact performance of the instrument, and the glass is in no danger of further damage.Both mirrors show moderate oxidation (only one shown; Photo #8); performance may be impaired.  I'm not trained to use a sextant, but there is still plenty of reflectivity available.Those are the only defects that I could find, and they are (in my opinion) minor and should be easy to repair.  The knob is the priority repair, to prevent a through-and-through crack.All accessories (3 eyepieces, wrench, brush, and rod) appear in place and in Excellent condition; I see no open spots that would contain other items.  The brass items appear to have been polished, and the case appears to have been sanded then polished with some sort of paste wax (no laquer or polyurethane).  While antiques collectors always decry "cleaning" such items, in my opinion that does not apply to items that can (and should) be used today!  This is a serious instrument for the serious sailor, using it to ensure the GPS unit is displaying the correct information!The case lock had been forced open at some time.  I removed the remaining pieces due to sharp edges on parts of the mechanism.  I will include the lock with the sextant, and I'm sure a locksmith can find a suitable replacement if one is desired.Similar instruments may cost $1250 (usually much more).  My opening bid price is low, and the BIN allows the wise buyer to get this fine instrument at a bargain price, instead of simply watching to see what happens at the end of the auction!This item is offered "AS IS", with no guarantee as to its performance without re-certification for navigational purposes.  The Seller assumes no liability for errors in the operation of the sextant.Free shipping in the lower 48 states when "BUY IT NOW" is used!This item will not relisted a third time.  Should it not sell this time, I will offer it on other antiques venues for the same, or higher, price. Place a Bid!