ENGLAND, end of the first half of the 20th century Henry HUGHES & Son Model for the British Air Force. Rack and pinion sextant, small model in blackened metal and composition. Graduated silver-plated limb. Varnished wooden grip. Marked "A[ir]M[inistry] Ref. N° 6B/177" under royal crown. H. 16.5 cm. Some stains and oxidation, scratches; dried composition parts, notably the eyecup, cracking. Mahogany case with brass side handle. Label on lid "à Monsieur L'Officier d'Administration de 1ère Classe, Chef du Service Transit Commissariat de la Marine, DAKAR". On reverse side of lid, HUSUN certification label for sextant no. 34633, dated 20/4/[19]43. 14 x 22 x 22 cm. Some stains and oxidation, scratches and minor wear. Marine sextants of this type were often used on seaplanes to take anchor bearings and also other calculations such as sun amplitudes and distance to angles while on the water, particularly during WWII.