Expert: Kenton Scott - 5/6/2009

Question
About a year ago I purchased a 1910 J.W. Pepper long Cornet on ebay and I love it. It is a fabulous instrument and the longer I own it the better it cleans up and the more I love it. I was told by my wife that J.W. Pepper is currently a music retailer. Some slight research on my part indicates they contracted with other more known manufactures to make horns for them. So I am wondering who could have made it? Did they ever contract with Courtois?  

Answer
If the date of 1910 is solid, then the horn you have is probably not made by Pepper.  In the 1800's Pepper marketed a mix of imported and Pepper made instruments.  But in 1909, the company  discontinued its instrument manufacturing operations and the sale of imported instruments. However, the company continued to sell from a large inventory.

So far the connections between the makers and the Pepper organization are not clear.  Some instruments may have the country of origin marked on them.