Expert: Kenton Scott - 4/5/2007

Question
HELLO: I OWN A CORNET, WHICH BEARS A PLAQUE STATING THAT IT WAS MANUFACTURED BY ALLEN AND HALL, AND AN INSCRIPTION STATING THAT IT WAS PRESENTED BY THE OFFICERS OF A NEW YORK REGIMENT TO BAND OF A PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT ON THE 21ST DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1861.  THE PLAQUE READS "ALLEN & HALL
MAKERS WASHINGTON ST. BOSTON" WITH THE LETTERS STAMPED OVER NUMERALS WHICH APPEAR TO BE "331". THERE ARE 3 VALVES ON THE INSTRUMENT, WHICH ARE OPERATED BY KEYS WITH WIRES ATTACHED. PIECES OF CORK ARE VISIBLE IN THE VALVES, WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE THE ROTARY TYPE.  THE INSTRUMENT HAS A SILVER FINISH. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU, M. C. MORGAN

Answer
Hi Michael,

It sounds like you have an interesting instrument there.  The date of the presentation is consistent with the age of the instrument, as Allen and Hall were only together for a couple of years.  Allen was noted for a special kind of rotary valve, nick-named "pinched" rotors.  

Would you be willing to send pictures?  I would like to see what we were talking about to make sure I'm speaking correctly.  (Send to Kenton@punxypa.com)  

The exact text of the presentation might also tell us something.