Octants were produced in large numbers. In wood and ivory, their relatively low price compared to an all-brass sextant made them a popular instrument. The design was standardized with many manufacturers using the identical frame style and components. Different shops could make different components, with woodworkers specializing in frames and others in the brass components. For example, Spencer, Browning and Rust, a manufacturer of scientific instruments in England from 1787 to 1840 (operating as "Spencer, Browning and Co." after 1840) used a Ramsden dividing engine to produce graduated scales in ivory. These were widely used by others and the "SBR" initials could be found on octants from many other manufacturers.