*130. EARLY AMERICAN NAVAL BOARDING AXE WITH MAKER"S NAME. 11 3/4" long steel blade/pick

stamped "US/HOFFMAN". Blade width 3 1/8". Original, 24"l., wood

handle with carved and incised ball at end. Overall length 25 1/4".

Condition very good with metal having brown patina and handle

its full, original size. Fred Hoffman was a Philadelphia blade

maker from Rev War days and it is documented that in 1806 he

bid on a contract to supply boarding axes to the Navy at $1.00

each. This example possibly dates earlier than 1806 as it is

certain that Hoffman was active in the time and

place of the initial Navy contracts of 1797-98 and

it is further documented that all of the War Departments initial contracts for boarding axes

were distributed from Philadelphia to the Navy's new frigates, including Constitution, United

States and Constellation. This exact axe illustrated page 42 in Gilkerson's book "Borders

Away" and in Hartzler & Knowles "Indian Tomahawks & Frontiersmen Belt Axes" page 233. It

is also illustrated page 29 in Peter Tuite's "U.S. Naval Officers Their Swords & Dirks" as well

as being in the October, 1997 issue of the magazine "Nautical World". Extremely rare exam-

ple and certainly amongst the earliest known, American made, naval boarding axes.

SOLD

*131. ENGRAVED ARM OCTANT WITH MAHOGANY FRAME. Circa 1790. Length of

brass index arm 18 1/4". Brass sight with double peep and pivoting cover. Front

and back horizon glasses, three movable glass shades and backsight. Ivory scale,

vernier, blank name-plate, notepad and pencil. Index arm engraved with flags and

cannon over leaf and vine motifs. Condition fine. Brass nicely cleaned and very

appealing. No case.

SOLD

*132. EARLY TWO PIECE SPYGLASS IN ORIGINAL STORAGE BOX. Very unusual

and the only one like it that I've seen. Signed on single draw tube "Improved Sea

Telescope/ Gilbert, Wright & Hooke/London".

Red mahogany barrel made in two sections

that join together via threaded brass fittings that are located at end of

each part. When joined together length closed 38 1/2" with single draw

tube extending to 48". Diameter at objective end 2 1/4". Sliding cover for

eyepiece and probably had protective cap for objective that is now miss-

ing. Original mahogany storage box with cradles for holding scope when

apart. In bottom of box is wonderful printed label with lengthy explana-

tion of optics. Box size 21" x 6" x 3 1/4". Condition overall excellent not-

ing typical bruises on barrel finish and expected age cracks on lid of case. Optics produce strong, erect

images. The Gilbert, Wright and Hooke partnership was quite short existing during the years 1794 to 1801. A

rare and very desirable sea captain's telescope.

SOLD

*133. SUPERB MARINE CHRONOMETER BY VICTOR KULLBERG. Beautiful instrument mounted in gabon

ebony box decorated with thin brass stringing, inset brass handles, fancy escutcheons and ivory plaque

engraved "VICTOR KULLBERG/105 Liverpool Rd Islington/LONDON. No 3295". 4 1/4"

diameter silvered dial profusely engraved "VICTOR KULLBERG/Maker to the

Admiralty/The Indian & Italian Governments/105 Liverpool Rd. London N". To the left

of up/down dial is a crown device with info "To H.M. The King of Sweden and

Norway". To the right another crown device marked "Prize Medals awarded

1860/1862/1864". Engraved around the second dial "Five Gold Medals

Awarded/Diploma of Honor, Sole & Highest Award/Vienna". Serial number "3295".

Roman numerals. Gold hour and minute hands. Blued steel second and up/down

hands. 56 hour. Brass gimbal, locking device and bowl. Early form of balance that is,

in principle, a modification of Molyneux's third form, but has an important advantage

in that the secondary rims, instead of being separately made and attached, are cut

out of the tail ends of the main rims themselves resulting in a stronger form.

Condition excellent noting that the small top lid with stringing is professionally

replaced by a clock cabinet maker. Also with outer storage box from a later period.

Condition excellent. Keeping accurate time. Victor Kullberg's workmanship has always been regarded to be

of the highest quality. This chronometer, #3295, was made in 1875. A real beauty.

5750.00

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