Cornet, Keefer, Bb, Silver plate and Gold washed 1917/1918

  

Up for sale is a 1917/18 Brua C. Center Bore London Oxford Model.

I obtained this cornet several years ago out of Montreal from the original owner's estate. He had been a bandsman in the military and the family indicated he came home with this cornet. I call it a 1917/18 because there are two serial numbers on it. One on the bell, and one on the 2nd Valve.

The 2nd valve serial number is in keeping with Distin's practice of serial numbering the valve block separately, whom Keefer bought out in 1909. With this new information, I have reduced the price a fair bit. There are no repairs evident on this horn to my eye except to the Bb lead pipe. The horn is gold washed inside the bell, on the valve caps, top and bottom, and on the tuning slide which is labelled L. For Low Pitch or Bb.

This horn comes with the Bb, and A pipes. It has its mute, but the corks are long gone. It has a lyre box and a lyre, but the lyre does not fit the lyre box and a band book that was inside the case from JW Pepper, dated 1909 inside. The London Oxford model could come with 3 lead pipes including C but there is no space in the case for the set of slides needed for C.

The gold wash and engraving was considered the Deluxe finish on the horn and made it the London Oxford Model. Comes with both Keefer 1 and Keefer 2 mouthpieces.

The compression on this horn is fantastic giving each slide a solid audible pop when pulled. Its a smaller diameter bell and medium bore showing up at. The valves are excellent quality and are proper machined brass with plating consistent with military grade horns of the time. It has mother of pearl buttons, which is in keeping with military issue horns which did not have the signature Keefer eagle buttons.

This horn is well built, a player for sure. I find it very nice to play, but its not a horn that can be worked really hard and takes a bit of finessing.

It centres and slots well in the lower octave and tends to play a bit sharp, but each valve can be tuned. The case is original to the horn and still has its label inside. It is wooden, with a leather covered cardboard flap over the music pouch. That is is pretty beat up. The rest of the case is is good for its age.

The latches work as does the locking latch. Its covered in the classic "Walrus Leather" finish of the day.

A great piece of history and an excellent 102 year old horn for your consideration. What you see is what you get.

The item "Cornet, Keefer, Bb, Silver plate and Gold washed 1917/1918" is in sale since Thursday, May 30, 2019. This item is in the category "Musical Instruments & Gear\Brass\Cornets". The seller is "hosekileather" and is located in Calgary, AB. This item can be shipped worldwide.

1. Model: Center Bore New London Oxford
2. Modified Item: No
3. Bell Material: Sterling Silver
4. Color: Silver
5. Finish: Silver Plated
6. Finish Material: Silver/Gold Wash
7. Brand: Keefer
8. Skill Level: Professional