Dimension L: 8 W: 8.5 H: 4.5 Inches About This is a fully functional nautical sextant. It is made of high quality brass. Each component is crafted with the finest craftsmanship. Available in antique brass finish and it comes in a beautiful rosewood gift box. This sextant is a great addition to any nautical collection. The item dimensions are: L: 8 inches, W: 8.5 inches, H: 4.5 inches. History A sextant is an instrument used to measure the angle between any two visible objects. Its primary use is to determine the angle between a celestial object and the horizon which is known as the altitude. Making this measurement is known as sighting the object, shooting the object, or taking a sight and it is an essential part of celestial navigation.