Expert: Kenton Scott - 4/19/2010

Question
I have had a German rotary valve flugelhorn for a few years and have never had any luck finding any information on the internet about the manufacturer.  I would be interested in knowing about what year is was manufactured.  The engraving on the bell is in cursive, so some of the letters are hard to identify. Here is what it says to the best of my ability to decipher:  
F. Mollenhauer & Lohne Fulda.  Germany.  30849
   There are 2 dots over the "o" in Lohne.  Thanks for any information you might have.

Answer
Johann Mollenhauer, of Fulda Germany was a woodwind maker from 1822-1870. He was succeeded by his son, Thomas.  The company was known as J. Mollenhauer & Sohne from 1864.  They were still in existence in the mid 20th century.  The records don't indicate that they made brass instruments, so it is at least possible that they simply served as a dealer for your instrument.