Brass Sextant Value Guide

This polished brass sextant represents a modern era of maritime craftsmanship, typically produced in India or China between 1970 and 2000. While these pieces serve as beautiful decorative tributes to the 18th-century double-reflecting instruments that revolutionized sea travel, they remain popular for their intricate glass and brass construction.

What Is Brass Sextant Worth?

The typical price range for Brass Sextant is $70 - $90 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the brass, specifically the absence of heavy oxidation or deep scratches.
• The presence and quality of the original wooden presentation box.
• The functionality of the moving parts, including the index arm and the clarity of the glass optics.
• Market demand for maritime decor, which typically keeps these modern examples in the $70 to $90 price range.

How to Identify Brass Sextant?

• Check for a fitted wooden storage case, which is standard for these late 20th-century decorative sets.
• Examine the brass frame for modern manufacturing marks or a lack of historical maker engravings from known European firms.
• Verify the presence of adjustable glass filters and a functional telescope eyepiece used for celestial alignment.
• Look for a high-polish finish characteristic of modern brass reproductions rather than the aged patina of 18th-century originals.

History of Brass Sextant

The sextant is a double-reflecting navigation instrument, crucial for celestial navigation. Its invention in the mid-18th century revolutionized sea travel, allowing navigators to accurately measure the angle between the horizon and any celestial body. This allowed for precise determination of latitude and longitude at sea, leading to safer and more efficient voyages across the world's oceans.