What is a sailors fid used for?

A sailors fid is a tapered wooden or bone tool designed to open the strands of heavy rope and cordage during splicing and rigging work aboard ship. Because they were subjected to heavy manual pressure, surviving examples often display dense grain and utilitarian wear from actual maritime use.

How do I identify a shipwrights chest?

Shipwrights chests are typically heavy storage trunks constructed from pine, mahogany, or ebonised wood, built with robust dovetail joints to withstand harsh conditions at sea. They frequently feature internal tills, compartments for specialised tools, and carrying handles suited for transport by maritime craftsmen.

What period do most navigation instruments belong to?

The majority of navigation and scientific instruments found here date from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, spanning the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Earlier examples from the late eighteenth century also appear, marked by portable diptych dials and pocket-sized brass sundials.

Are cased instruments more desirable?

Cased instruments retain their original fitted wooden boxes, which protected delicate brass components, glass lenses, and engraved dials from moisture and impact during voyages. Survival of the original case alongside the instrument adds significantly to the historical completeness of the piece.