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CIVIL WAR US NAVY NAVIGATOR’S PARALLEL RULER – MKD
“USN 1862” IN THE ORIGINAL BOX: A very unique
offering, this Civil War US Navy Parallel Rule Set has
survived in excellent condition and intact with the
original pasteboard box, and is stamped on one of the
brass fittings, “USN 1862”, indicating this set was
provided at the beginning of the Civil War.
A standard navigation tool, the parallel rulers are used
in conjunction with navigation charts for plotting a
ship’s course, and every ship would have had at least
one set, and quite possibly every officer would have had
his own set.
The set consists of two
straight-edges hinged to maintain a parallel
orientation. The navigator would move one edge while
keeping the other edge in place, allowing him to move
the rule across the chart while maintaining the same
angle of travel.
Measuring a standard 12” long, each of the two rules are
1 ¼” wide. Featuring nicely patinated brass mounts, the
black rules are made of gutta-percha, a natural latex
discovered in the mid-19th Century that was
made from the sap of a species of the
Palaquium trees - known in native Malaysian as “getah
perca”, hence the name - native to the South
Pacific region. Gutta-percha had gained
popular use by the time of the Civil War and today is
most often encountered as the material used to make
image cases, pistol grips, and small personal items.
Having much the same properties as modern synthetic
plastics, gutta-percha would be a natural choice for
finely made instruments such as these parallel rulers,
as the material would not warp when exposed to the
continuously wet environment aboard ship.
This set of rules is in “like new”
condition, showing no signs of wear or use, and all of
the edges retain crisp, sharp lines with no nicks or
dents, and all of the surfaces retain the original
bright polish. The brass hinges and knobs have a very
nice aged patina and the “USN 1862” stamping on the one
hinge is clear and legible. The “sliding tray” box has
seen some significant wear, but it is still intact for
the most part. One end of the box is missing and the
other end could use some repair, but all the wear is
commensurate with the passage of the time this piece has
been in existence. The set of rules are a perfect fit
for the box and from all appearances, the box is
definitely original to the rules.
This is very unique piece of US Navy
Civil War history, combining condition, attractive
design and function. (0313) $250
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