1st May, 2018 11:00
Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art ('Britannia')
127
[M] AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING AND RARE...
AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING AND RARE COLOMB-TYPE NAVAL SIGNAL LAMP, ADAPTED AND OWNED BY ADMIRAL SIR PERCY SCOTT, CIRCA 1900
constructed in copper and brass with clear bulls eye lens etched HARVIE GLASGOW 1900, shutter handle and rigid wooden handle to top with inset lanyard pulley, the chimney stamped Wm Harvie and brass plaque to front reading CAPT. PERCY SCOTT'S / HAND FLASHING LAMP / A. LÉGÉ & Co. / LONDON, and to rear inscribed SUSPEND LANTERN WHEN IN USE IF VESSEL IS ROLLING THROUGH AN ARC OF MORE THAN 20º, internal sliding burner and reflector with reservoir, sliding back with glazed inspection panel and air slide (lacking shutters) -- 25in. (64cm.) high
Admiral Sir Percy Scott (1853-1924) is principally known as a gunnery pioneer whose career culminated with command of the naval gunnery school Excellent. He was also something of an engineer and problem solver turning his genius to whatever issue was presented - his improvised gun carriages are accredited with the salvation of Ladysmith during the Boer war. In 1899 a report by the Mediterranean fleet's flag lieutenant was critical of the old systems in place and advocated Scott's ideas. Scott had not only invented the 'Truck' signal lamp, but come up with a cheap conversion to the Colomb signal lamp which, despite being standard issue, had handles which burned hot, and a shutter with too great a length of travel. Few seem to have survived and the example offered here appears to have been Scott's own, now sadly lacking its shutters.
constructed in copper and brass with clear bulls eye lens etched HARVIE GLASGOW 1900, shutter handle and rigid wooden handle to top with inset lanyard pulley, the chimney stamped Wm Harvie and brass plaque to front reading CAPT. PERCY SCOTT'S / HAND FLASHING LAMP / A. LÉGÉ & Co. / LONDON, and to rear inscribed SUSPEND LANTERN WHEN IN USE IF VESSEL IS ROLLING THROUGH AN ARC OF MORE THAN 20º, internal sliding burner and reflector with reservoir, sliding back with glazed inspection panel and air slide (lacking shutters) -- 25in. (64cm.) high
Admiral Sir Percy Scott (1853-1924) is principally known as a gunnery pioneer whose career culminated with command of the naval gunnery school Excellent. He was also something of an engineer and problem solver turning his genius to whatever issue was presented - his improvised gun carriages are accredited with the salvation of Ladysmith during the Boer war. In 1899 a report by the Mediterranean fleet's flag lieutenant was critical of the old systems in place and advocated Scott's ideas. Scott had not only invented the 'Truck' signal lamp, but come up with a cheap conversion to the Colomb signal lamp which, despite being standard issue, had handles which burned hot, and a shutter with too great a length of travel. Few seem to have survived and the example offered here appears to have been Scott's own, now sadly lacking its shutters.
Sold for £434
Estimated at £400 - £600
(inc. buyer's premium of 24%)
AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING AND RARE COLOMB-TYPE NAVAL SIGNAL LAMP, ADAPTED AND OWNED BY ADMIRAL SIR PERCY SCOTT, CIRCA 1900
constructed in copper and brass with clear bulls eye lens etched HARVIE GLASGOW 1900, shutter handle and rigid wooden handle to top with inset lanyard pulley, the chimney stamped Wm Harvie and brass plaque to front reading CAPT. PERCY SCOTT'S / HAND FLASHING LAMP / A. LÉGÉ & Co. / LONDON, and to rear inscribed SUSPEND LANTERN WHEN IN USE IF VESSEL IS ROLLING THROUGH AN ARC OF MORE THAN 20º, internal sliding burner and reflector with reservoir, sliding back with glazed inspection panel and air slide (lacking shutters) -- 25in. (64cm.) high
Admiral Sir Percy Scott (1853-1924) is principally known as a gunnery pioneer whose career culminated with command of the naval gunnery school Excellent. He was also something of an engineer and problem solver turning his genius to whatever issue was presented - his improvised gun carriages are accredited with the salvation of Ladysmith during the Boer war. In 1899 a report by the Mediterranean fleet's flag lieutenant was critical of the old systems in place and advocated Scott's ideas. Scott had not only invented the 'Truck' signal lamp, but come up with a cheap conversion to the Colomb signal lamp which, despite being standard issue, had handles which burned hot, and a shutter with too great a length of travel. Few seem to have survived and the example offered here appears to have been Scott's own, now sadly lacking its shutters.
constructed in copper and brass with clear bulls eye lens etched HARVIE GLASGOW 1900, shutter handle and rigid wooden handle to top with inset lanyard pulley, the chimney stamped Wm Harvie and brass plaque to front reading CAPT. PERCY SCOTT'S / HAND FLASHING LAMP / A. LÉGÉ & Co. / LONDON, and to rear inscribed SUSPEND LANTERN WHEN IN USE IF VESSEL IS ROLLING THROUGH AN ARC OF MORE THAN 20º, internal sliding burner and reflector with reservoir, sliding back with glazed inspection panel and air slide (lacking shutters) -- 25in. (64cm.) high
Admiral Sir Percy Scott (1853-1924) is principally known as a gunnery pioneer whose career culminated with command of the naval gunnery school Excellent. He was also something of an engineer and problem solver turning his genius to whatever issue was presented - his improvised gun carriages are accredited with the salvation of Ladysmith during the Boer war. In 1899 a report by the Mediterranean fleet's flag lieutenant was critical of the old systems in place and advocated Scott's ideas. Scott had not only invented the 'Truck' signal lamp, but come up with a cheap conversion to the Colomb signal lamp which, despite being standard issue, had handles which burned hot, and a shutter with too great a length of travel. Few seem to have survived and the example offered here appears to have been Scott's own, now sadly lacking its shutters.
Auction: Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art ('Britannia'), 1st May, 2018
