Early station pointer with manual in mahogany case for coastal navigation. Made by Hughes, London.
The instrument is completely made of brass and does not yet have a silvered scale as with the later species. The scale is divided in half degrees and reads by two verniers to one minute of arc. The diameter of the circle is 162 mm.
Navigators employed a sextant or bearing compass to measure the angles between their position and each of three known landmarks. They then placed the station pointer on their chart and set its arms to the observed angles. The centre of the protracting circle on the station pointer would then show the position of the ship.

Catalogue: NM.6-39
Date: ca. 1870
HWL case: 55x500x192 mm
Signed: H. Hughes & son Ltd; 59 Fenchurch St. London; No 1920
Origin: England
Condition: in good and working condition, wear consistent with age and use