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Cornet1 · 01-11-2007, 07:25 PM

The serial number is for 1948 as mentioned.

This is an English made and designed cornet. The "prototype", "50 medals" and "brevette" are standard markings for all Bessons of this era and have no particular significance other than historic.

There are two distinct types of 'New Standard' cornet;....the old pattern with detachable mouthpipe or 'shank' and the later model with fixed mpc receiver like a trumpet.

Most of the first type are in 'high pitch' apart from instruments used in military bands,...these are usually marked "LP" to denote 'low pitch'

Most of the later model are in 'low pitch',..the same as orchestral pitch. Brass bands in Britain changed to 'LP' circa 1955-65.

If your cornet is in 'LP' as suggested by the repairers and has a detachable shank then it is likely to be an ex-military instrument, possibly used by the Royal Marines Band Service as they were big users of the 'New Standard' cornet. The cornet may have neatly engraved numbers and letters on the bell which will be different in style and depth to the makers bell engraving and there may also be the 'broad arrow' mark.

Besson Company was aquired by Boosey and Hawkes immediately after WWII but was allowed to operate more or less independantly with it's own models and design structure until finally destroyed by B&H in 1975 when production facilities were combined and all Besson designs terminated. Contrary to common belief there were no true Besson instruments made after this date.

In the late 1980's B&H disinterred the "Besson" name and applied it to it's own range of brass instruments although these were/are wholly B&H products and have no true Besson features.

01-11-2007, 07:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cornet1 Pianissimo User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Essex, England Posts: 132	Re: How old is this instrument? The serial number is for 1948 as mentioned. This is an English made and designed cornet. The "prototype", "50 medals" and "brevette" are standard markings for all Bessons of this era and have no particular significance other than historic. There are two distinct types of 'New Standard' cornet;....the old pattern with detachable mouthpipe or 'shank' and the later model with fixed mpc receiver like a trumpet. Most of the first type are in 'high pitch' apart from instruments used in military bands,...these are usually marked "LP" to denote 'low pitch' Most of the later model are in 'low pitch',..the same as orchestral pitch. Brass bands in Britain changed to 'LP' circa 1955-65. If your cornet is in 'LP' as suggested by the repairers and has a detachable shank then it is likely to be an ex-military instrument, possibly used by the Royal Marines Band Service as they were big users of the 'New Standard' cornet. The cornet may have neatly engraved numbers and letters on the bell which will be different in style and depth to the makers bell engraving and there may also be the 'broad arrow' mark. Besson Company was aquired by Boosey and Hawkes immediately after WWII but was allowed to operate more or less independantly with it's own models and design structure until finally destroyed by B&H in 1975 when production facilities were combined and all Besson designs terminated. Contrary to common belief there were no true Besson instruments made after this date. In the late 1980's B&H disinterred the "Besson" name and applied it to it's own range of brass instruments although these were/are wholly B&H products and have no true Besson features.