Antique Musical Instruments/silver piccolo

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Expert: - 4/30/2009


Question
I have the chance to purchase a silver piccolo which has been in the same family for several generations. We have been told that it was used during the Revolutionary War and
have no reason not to believe the elderly gentleman who still has it. Do you think it's worth pursuing? Thanks so much! Debra

Answer
Woodwind instrument are not my area, but I'll take a shot at this anyway.

I would think it extremely unlikely that it is anywhere near as old as it is alleged to be.  Piccolo's were first introduced into the orchestra (by Beethoven (1770-1827).  And, they were predominately made of wood, and only had a couple of keys on them and otherwise simply had finger holes.  

Antique Musical Instruments

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Kenton Scott

Expertise

Please note: My area is BRASS instruments, not other wind, string or percussion instruments. I will provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. 1) Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site. 2) I am often asked very similar questions, so I'd invite you to first check on Horn-u-Copia.net. Much of the information I have garnered about this topic, I have posted on this WEB site.

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I perform in several historical bands, have informally researched the area, repair brass instruments, and operate a Forum dedicated to the topic at http://horn-u-copia.net

Education/Credentials
B.S. Ed, M.S.

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