Lot 322: J Coombes Sextant 4168 Kew Obseravotry 1889

Sold at Auction (See Dates)

J Coombes, Optician and Admirality Agent, Devonport. Messrs Coombes were optical and scientific instrument makers at ‘The Observatory’, Fore Street in Devonport (established 1806), and manufactured sectants for the Royal Navy, and the Britannia Royal Navy College. Inside the lid is the certificate of examination label by the “The Kew Observatory”, Richmond, Surrey. The sextant 4168, 6 inch radius, divided on silver and examined at Kew observatory, July 1889. Inside the square fitted mahogany sextant box containing a small ivory plate signed ‘Coombes Optician & Admirality Agent Davenport”. Also, a label for Henry Kughes & Son, Marine optician, 59 Fenchurch Street London. The box and sextant are both engraved with the name W.P.N Dean, who I believe could be William Dean 4462 born in Kilburn, London, in 1871. He joined and was attested in London 1888 at the age of 17. He was discharged in 1897 by purchase.