Expert: Kenton Scott - 4/3/2008

Question
QUESTION: hi im hopeing that you may be able to date this instrument for British Plated
Class
A
5C Medals of Honour
FB
Besson & Co
"Prototype"
London
England
British Throughout
W.H.Paling & Co
N.S.Wales
& Queensland the serial no on the second valvue is 126438 im not sure but i think it may be about 1935 kind regards tom

ANSWER: Tom, I think it is a couple of years earlier than that.  I'd say early 1930s.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i have a 1905 boosy@co cornet when i try to play it in the brass band it sound way to high the only way i can get close to the same pitch is to put another lead pipe in it the lead pipe i  put in it to get close to the right pitch is about 8inchs long im wondering if my cornet might be a c cornet not a bb cornet.allso i was mucking around with it and if i push the first valve in the last post or revalie sounds about right i hope you can help me with this problem as i cant realy play the cornet in my town brass band without everyone haveing to retune there instruments kind regards tom

Answer
Tom,

The problem is that your horn was made to play at high pitch.  Back then they hadn't settled on a standard pitch, and many bands played at high pitch.  

You will probably need to get it converted to low pitch.  Depending on the make up of the horn, that is sometimes more difficult than with others.  You need enough extra tubing on the main system plus on each of the valve slides to bring it into tune.