Antique Musical Instruments/Cornet

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Expert: - 2/6/2011


Question

Pollmann Cornet
I have an old cornet that has been in my family since WWII. It was issued by the army and played in Italy during WWII. From the pictures on the Horn-a-copia site it appears to be an 1872 M. Pollmann Eb cornet. I wanted to know about dealers for this horn. It would be neat to restore it, but looks like it would be better suited ad an antique ornament. I have a large collection of horns and would like to sell this one to somebody that can afford to repair it. Besides finding some antique dealers, I would also be curious to learn a little more about the origins of the horn as it seems to be very unique in design.

Thanks for your help

Answer
It seems as though you have researched this horn pretty well.  However, I would be surprised if the story about use in WWII is correct, for two reasons.  This is, in all likelihood a high pitched instrument, so it would not have played in tune with bands who by that time would have played at low pitch. Secondly, the Eb cornet had been eliminated from the modern wind band by then, so unless they were playing with a specialized band such as a British Style Cornet band, or a band playing antique music, there wouldn't have been a part for it.

Pollmann was a maker of brass instruments, and a dealer in other instruments and musical items.  The design was fairly typical for that period in time.  The top action rotary valves were the a dominant style.  Your horn appears to be missing the lever mechanisms to make the valves operate.  

If you would want to contact me (Kenton@punxypa.com) I can give you some contacts that may be interested in this horn.  

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.

Experience

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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