The sextant has a black-lacquered alloy frame consisting of two circular plates, the upper having an ivorine overlay. The wooden handle to be screwed in the lower plate is missing. There is no tangent or clamping screw and the index arm is moved by hand. The instrument has no shades. Index- and horizon-glass adjustment is made by capstan screws. The sight vane has one pinhole mounted within the frame.

The instrument has an ivorine scale with black markings, from 0° to 90° to 0° by 30 arcminutes. The scale is read by a black indicating line in an ivorine index mark at the end of the index arm.

The sextant is contained in a fitted wooden box partly lined with green textile, and containing in the lid instructions for use by H. Hughes and Son Ltd, 59 Fenchurch Street, London.

The Paget sextant was designed around 1892 and brought on the market by H. Hughes and Son.