This vintage maritime sextant serial no 2300 made by B. Cooke & Sons of Hull, is dated 28th December 1962, and comes complete with its original certificate of examination fixed to the inside case lid.

B. Cooke & Son Ltd was founded in 1867 by optician and clockmaker Barnard Cooke, brother of the better known instrument maker Thomas Cooke of York. The business moved several times from its original Hull premises, expanding successfully into chronometers and sextants, eventually being sold to Henry Hughes & Son in 1918.

Fitted in its original wood case with key, it includes sun filters and a 6×30 monocular viewing scope with non-reflective optics, making it fully functional and suitable for precise marine navigation. The instrument is in full working order, with no damage to the lenses or mirrors, and is equipped with a micrometer for fine adjustments, a vernier scale (125 / -0.5) for precise readings, and a nut adjusting pin.

Also included is a 1940s Rude Star Finder & Identifier set (US Navy Hydrographic Office, No. 2102-C, AN Type 1), produced by the Hydrographic Office in Washington under the authority of the Secretary of the Navy. The set includes seven clear plastic altitude-azimuth templates for use at different latitudes up to 85° north and south, an instruction card, and a leatherette container missing much of its stitching.

In good condition all round, the case measures 320mm x 290mm x 160mm, weighs just over 4.3 kg unpacked and 6 kgs packed including the Star Finder set, so overseas shipping will vary significantly, therefore please contact me to establish shipping costs to your country.