Expert: Kenton Scott - 4/25/2009

Question
I've recently sent my grandmother's 1910 Champion Silver Piston Chicago cornet for complete restoration.  Do you have any information as to where I can locate an authentic case for the instrument?  I saved the horn from the trash but the original case was no where to be found.  Thanks for any help you can give.

Answer
It is very likely that it did not come with a case.  Lyon and Healy - the company that sold Champion Silver Piston instruments would have cases as a separate part of their catalog.  

And, it is also likely that even if it was purchased with a case, that it - or other period cases - didn't last.  Cases tend to not last as long as the instruments.

There were a few basic styles of cases, some were wooden "coffins", some were leather satchels, some were suitcase style.  

You could have a carpenter make a coffin style, and you can have a leather maker make a satchel style.