Antique Station Pointer for Maritime Navigation. Made in the 1950s. Complete.

Fascinating antique station pointer or chart plotter for maritime navigation made in the 1950s. This instrument is complete and remains in excellent condition. It comes in its original mahogany wooden storing case, also very well preserved and keeping the original inner dividers and metalwork. The station pointer is designed specifically for marine use; also called three-arm protractor, it was invented in 1801 by Joseph Huddart, a US Navy naval captain. The central arm is fixed while the side ones can be moved in order to set any angle relative to the central arm. To use the station pointer, before we must set three points from the ship and mark them on a navigation chart. Then we put the instruments central arm on the central point and move the side arms on the chart until they meet the other two points. The position of the ship will be determined by the intersection of the three lines (arms), visible through the center of circular scale. Then, the user will only have to mark the point with a pencil through the central hole. The station pointer is made of silvery metal. The metal is in great condition and shows no signs of rust, scratches or dents. The central scale is finely preserved and remain clearly legible. The instrument mounts also a magnifier with a foldable brass arm which makes the tiny numbers easier to read. Moreover, the storing case also contains three extensions which can be attached to the arms with the screws located at their ends. Every lover of old-time ship instruments will see a real find in this antique station pointer for maritime navigation, complete and in working order. Dimensions: Case: Width: 30.8 in / 64.5 cm. Depth: 14 in / 28.5 cm. Station Pointer: Maximum Length: 36 in / 90 cm.