Antique Musical Instruments/Baritone/Euphonium Age

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Expert: - 8/24/2009


Question

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I have purchased an old brass instrument with 4 rotary valves, non-compensating, with this inscribed on the bell:

c mahillon curnisseur brevete celarmee et des conservatdires bruvelles

I know "C. Mahillon" was an instrument maker in Belgium prior to 1900, and I assume it was imported by a dealer "EV Lamotte" in Portland, but can you provide me with any other information or another place to look? Is there a location for a serial number that I haven't found?

Thanks for your assistance.

Answer
Even if there were a serial number on the instrument, and I don't believe that Mahillon actually used serial numbers, it wouldn't do you any good because there is no serial number list for Mahillon.  

Charles Mahillon founded his business in Bruxelles in 1836, and continued in business until 1935. In its earlier years appear to have been a notable highly regarded company, but in later years, less so.

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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