RARE FRENCH SEXTANT CIRCA 1850

A fine and original French sextant with some unusual features and early serial number, signed "E. Lorieux, A. Hurlimann, Paris, 78"; the sextant has a radius of 20cm (8in) with an arc circle of 27cm (10 3/4in), silvered scale measuring from -5 to +165 degrees; very odd construction with many innovations of the day including cast ladder frame body in bronze, a blued brass radius arm with vernier from 0-10 seconds of arc and a primary pentagonal mirror; Note: Edmond Lorieux was a French instrument maker in Paris from 1825-1850, when the business was transferred to A. Hurlimann (his successor) until about 1890; the early serial number of "78" indicates construction was made around 1850