The only thing better than having a nicely restored Boston 3-Star . . . is having TWO of 'em made in the same year and with serial numbers very close together!
Here are my two, both restored by Rich Ita. Both cornets were nearly pristine to begin with so they didn't need radical work to them . . . and both retain their original silverplated finish and thus . . . super-sharp original engraving!
One has rebuilt valves from Andersons. Rich felt the other one played well, even with some valve leakage so he opted to leave the valves in original state. Many collectors don't want replated valves or buffed, replated horns and Rich is definately of the minimalist school . . . unless you ask him to do a refinish job. I prefer this too, although others prefer their vintage horns restored to look like they were just made. Both ways are cool though!
Both my horns came with a full "kit" (original case and accessories in fine condition), something else I always look for.
The Bostons are probably the best vintage shepherd crook cornets made. Here are my two:
I especially like the fixed leadpipe version such as the two I own that were made in the early to mid-teens. One serial number list has my two as 1911 models. Another source says 1913. Since there is an existing Boston ad for their older-design detachable leadpipe version around 1913 it is probable that the fixed leadpipe versions I have were made in 1913.
Doc Severensen uses the same model and era version I own but his is goldplated and was restored by Dick Ackright. The Bostons are the real deal!
The one on the bottom is my "player." It has rebuilt valves and has some touched up silver plate in a few fairly small areas. The black spacers were added by me to tune each valve slide perfectly. I had its original "cookie cutter" mouthpiece goldplated, since I love goldplated mouthpieces, and I also use this mouthpiece on my main short cornet . . . my 2001 Flip Oakes "Wild Thing" short model.
The top one has original valves and was obviously resued from an attic in Maine after being played rarely and briefly, and then put up for decades. Look closely and you'll see a very minor spot on the radius of the second valve slide that is the only spot without perfect original silverplate.
Tom