Expert: Kenton Scott - 1/14/2010

Question
I would love to locate a French Horn that was presented to a man named Harry Hardy by the officers of the 1st Warwickshire Militia in the mid 1850s on the occasion of his retirement from the band of this regiment. I believe that this information was inscribed on the instrument. It was sold in Dublin in 1879. The advertisement for its sale describes it as a "beautiful silver plated solo horn, original cost £14". Have you any suggestions as to how I might search for this instrument?
Any ideas at all will be very welcome. Thanks.  

Answer
I would have to speculate that finding such an instrument is extremely remote.  The chances that it still exists may not be that great either.  Are you certain that it is even a French Horn?  Military organizations of the mid 1800's tended not to use French horns.  A solo instrument may mean that it was a cornet, possibly an alto horn.