1944 US Army Air Force Fairchild A-10A Sextant in Original WW2 Wood Box USAAF

  
1944 Dated Wooden Boxed US Army Air Force Complete Fairchild A-10A Sextant. As used by USAAF bomber navigators during WW2. This is a 78 year old United States Army Air Force Fairchild Model A-10A Sextant in an original matching serial numbered box for the instrument, just as we bought it from a colleague in the second hand militaria business some time ago. This World War II sextant appears to be complete and has all the accessories shown in our second picture: A- the sextant instrument itself, serial number AF44-16994, B- the hook for hanging the sextant, C- a paper packet containing two unused extra white plastic disks for the recording portion of the sextant, and a package of pointed replacement pencil leads for recording on the white disks, D- the battery pack and cord that supply power to the sextant (no batteries included), E- the lens for the sextant, F- two spare light bulbs, G- a hex key or allen wrench for servicing some part of the sextant. A sextant is an optical instrument used to measure positions of celestial bodies (sun, moon, planets, stars) in the sky. Sextants are important for navigation; enabling a navigator to measure the angular elevation of selected celestial bodies, and from that information calculate his latitude and longitude, or in other words his location on earth. Aboard aircraft when the visible horizon is not a clearly defined line, modern "bubble" sextants are used. In instruments such as these, the bubble acts as a spirit level, in place of a visible horizon reference. This type of Fairchild A-10A USAAF sextant was heavily used on American bombers like the B-17, B-29, etc.

All over the world during World War II. With the passage of many decades since the war, they are becoming hard to find in any sort of reasonable condition. This sextant is in outstanding little-used condition. This 5-½ x 9 x 9-? Inch wooden box has not been refinished but probably has had a clear coat on top of the original finish.

It is very solid and complete with all its original hardware which is not clear coated. The leather portion of the handle is an expertly done replacement of the original. The serial number on the box and the nomenclature plate on the instrument are the same, as they should be (but rarely are). The condition of the sextant and all its parts and accessories is excellent with one tiny exception: there is a small tarnished spot on the battery pack where one of the clamps that holds it in place in the box discolored the nickel plating.

Have a look at other original World War II books and collectibles. We sell everything as a surplus curio or relic "as is-where is", with no implied or other warranties of any kind given, and which may or may not be useful for its original or intended purpose.

THE INFORMATION BELOW IS AN IMPORTANT CONTRACTUAL PART OF THIS LISTING! 1 CONDITION: very nice used condition, exactly as shown in our photographs. 5 We try hard to make every description of every item accurate and we provide excellent photographs of the items we offer for sale. If there is a discrepancy between the text and the photographs in any of our listings, the photographs take precedence over the text. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\United States\Field Gear, Equipment".

The seller is "rapidapolis" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.

1. Region of Origin: United States
2. Modified Item: No
3. Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
4. Theme: Militaria
5. Original/Reproduction: Original
6. Conflict: WW II (1939-45)