Sextants

[reddog]

I have just purchased a used sextant and am looking fo help in finding replacement mirrors.The sextant is a Tamaya Model 2 circa 1969.The index mirror is 33mm x 49mm and the horizon mirror is 50mm in diameter of the traditional half horizon type.Any leads for replacements would be greatly appreciated.
I know,I know,why not just take a couple of GPS's and a bag of batteries??? ;)
Thanks;
Earl

[Donn]

Surplus Shed (http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/category/mirrors_1.html) carries some mirrors.

[mmd]

Have you checked The Binnacle in Halifax, Earl?

[ahp]

Try Edmond Scientific or Edmond Industrial Optics. I think they have web sites.

[Hwyl]

Thanks for reminding me AHP, it's atually EdmUnd
http://www.edmundoptics.com/US/

[reddog]

Thanks folks,I'm still looking.
Donn,that's an interesting site but they don't appear to have what I need.I will e-mail them though.
Michael,yes I placed a call to The Binnacle yesterday and though they sell sextants they couldn't say who or where to service them.The problem is compounded by the fact that this sextant was made in 1969 and no longer in production.Additionally,most new sextants have larger mirrors which won't retrofit.I'm looking into having them resilvered,but from what information I have gleaned to date the results are variable.I have been in contact with a sextant person in The US who has a replacement index,(the rectangular one),mirror for $75 US.Resilvering is around $42 US each unless I can find a Canadian Site.Yikes!! this could get expensive.This is what I get for trying to stimulate my mind with a night class in celestial navigation.
The Edmunds site looks promising.Thanks.
It's too foggy for taking sights anyways.Think I'll just sit by the fire.
Earl

[Neriat]

Hello,

This may be late, but for future reference, Land And Sea Collection (http://www.landandseacollection.com) is likely the best source on the internet for used sextants and parts for Tamaya and C. Plath.

You can contact them at info@landandseacollection.com



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[paladin]

I have a similar model that I bought new when Coast Navigation school was operated by Svend Simonson.....although mine has the astimatizer lenses.......as I recall it was literally a direct copie of a Plath instrument....perhaps the plath mirrors will fit or a person could recut the mirrors to fit.

[Ian McColgin]

I don't know if these guys still fix stuff, but check:

http://www.celestaire.com/

[Paul Scheuer]

If you can find an old enough chemistry book, it will tell you how to silver a mirror.

[reddog]

I'm mildly surprised to see this thread still around.Thanks for all the info.I finally tracked down a fellow in Cape Breton,MacKenzie Glass and Mirror,who did the resilvering for a reasonable cost and who also made me two new mirrors.His new glass was 1mm thicker than my old mirrors so I am keeping them in reserve.The old mirrors silvered up fine.
Thanks again to all for the help.
Earl