Looking for an 1800's Cornet

edcon1981 · 10-20-2009, 03:06 PM

First, I'd like to say "Hi" to all those I haven't talked to in a while. How have you been?

Second, I'm looking for an 1800's era cornet, and have no clue where to look. I'm a member of an American Civil War Brass Band, and the time has come for me to begin looking for an instrument to fit the bill. I'm hoping to find something from the 1850's to the late 1890's (the American Civil War spanned a period from 1861-1865).

Aside from the random listing I catch on ebay every now and again, I really don't know of any reliable resources for these. I also need help with what to look for, such as brand, serial no., valve type, etc.

Third, what is a "Cornopean"? I've seen pictures, I caught one on ebay, and someone in my band told me to look at them, but he never said why. How do they work? And by that I'm referring to the location of the air inlet to the valve casing, which is directly into the bottom where a normal valve's lower cap would be.

Thanks guys! I hope my company doesn't block TM again...

Sterling · 10-20-2009, 04:17 PM

There is a store in your neck of the woods called Vintage Instruments. vintage-instruments.com I have purchased two Civil War era cornets from them and have been happy with the results. They are pricey, though. If you get a chance, check out our website, excelsiorcornetband.com

ChopsGone · 10-20-2009, 04:22 PM

There's always fleaBay. I noticed an 1870's Distin/Boosey there within the last few days, and it appeared to be in pretty decent condition. Sorry, it's not on my watch list (already own one of similar age, although mine's not the Light Valve version). I believe it's still up for sale.

While there, check in the Antiques section as well - the musical instruments/brass area will occasionally have a cornopean or other vintage instrument, although you probably won't like the prices.

edcon1981 · 10-20-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sterling

There is a store in your neck of the woods called Vintage Instruments. vintage-instruments.com I have purchased two Civil War era cornets from them and have been happy with the results. They are pricey, though. If you get a chance, check out our website, excelsiorcornetband.com

i had no clue they existed. i am most definitely going to have to check them out! Their prices actually seemed reasonable to me, considering what you're buying.

i actually stumbled across your bands page earlier today in my search, i was very impressed with your equipment page.

If you're feelin froggy, then jump on over to http://www.becksband.com , that's our group. that website is new, so there's not much on it.

thanks for the info! maybe i'll see you out in the field sometime...

Dale Proctor · 10-20-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edcon1981

First, I'd like to say "Hi" to all those I haven't talked to in a while. How have you been?

Second, I'm looking for an 1800's era cornet, and have no clue where to look. I'm a member of an American Civil War Brass Band, and the time has come for me to begin looking for an instrument to fit the bill. I'm hoping to find something from the 1850's to the late 1890's (the American Civil War spanned a period from 1861-1865).

Aside from the random listing I catch on ebay every now and again, I really don't know of any reliable resources for these. I also need help with what to look for, such as brand, serial no., valve type, etc.

Third, what is a "Cornopean"? I've seen pictures, I caught one on ebay, and someone in my band told me to look at them, but he never said why. How do they work? And by that I'm referring to the location of the air inlet to the valve casing, which is directly into the bottom where a normal valve's lower cap would be.

Thanks guys! I hope my company doesn't block TM again...

If you're looking for a cornet that fits the era, you probably don't want one with Perinet valves. They were in use in Europe at the time, but most horns used in Civil War bands (American makers) had rotary valves. Cornopeans used Stolzel valves, which routed the airflow out the bottom of the valve. These horns were made up until the early 1900's in Europe, but don't play very well. They do sometimes sell cheaply on eBay, though. Berlin valves are another alternative (short, wide pistons), but I've not seen very many cornets with those. By far, the most common valve used was the string rotary valve.

I don't recall ever seeing a CW horn with a serial number. Common names of the era are Boston, Klem, Lehnert, Hall & Quimby, Lyon & Healy, Zobisch, J.H. Foote, Stratton, Dodworth, D.C. Hall, Bauer, and Stark. Cornets were made in circular, over the shoulder, bell upright, and bell forward styles. The rotary valves were either side action or top action. Take a look at the "Horns" section of our site (Olde Towne Brass) - there are lots of pictures and descriptions there.

MFfan · 10-20-2009, 05:16 PM

eBay ? Brass and items on eBay.com. Find IT on eBay. Here is the current page.

The Cornet Compendium: History and Development of the 19th Century Cornet

Here is a great source of info on 19th century cornets.

VetPsychWars · 10-20-2009, 07:22 PM

Just thinking off the top of my head, a company like Kanstul makes a full range of instruments. I wonder if they could be persuaded to assemble a rotary cornet that looks like a period instrument?

Tom

edcon1981 · 10-20-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MFfan

eBay ? Brass and items on eBay.com. Find IT on eBay. Here is the current page.

The Cornet Compendium: History and Development of the 19th Century Cornet

Here is a great source of info on 19th century cornets.

thank you for helping me narrow down the search, i'm keeping an eye on those

Quote:

Originally Posted by VetPsychWars

Just thinking off the top of my head, a company like Kanstul makes a full range of instruments. I wonder if they could be persuaded to assemble a rotary cornet that looks like a period instrument?

Tom

unfortunately anything custom made by kanstul is going to be even more expensive than his standard horns. great idea though!

vntgbrslvr · 10-21-2009, 12:12 AM

Check with Mark Metzler....This is somewhat his specialty. If he doesn't have it, he can probably find it, and restore it to boot.

Metzler Brass

edcon1981 · 11-01-2009, 11:27 PM

I picked up a pair of cornets off Ebay... while I doubt they're truly from the 1800's, they're still close enough to what I need.

Here's the thread I started for them:
New Horns

10-20-2009, 03:06 PM	#1
edcon1981 Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Philly Posts: 801	Looking for an 1800's Cornet First, I'd like to say "Hi" to all those I haven't talked to in a while. How have you been? Second, I'm looking for an 1800's era cornet, and have no clue where to look. I'm a member of an American Civil War Brass Band, and the time has come for me to begin looking for an instrument to fit the bill. I'm hoping to find something from the 1850's to the late 1890's (the American Civil War spanned a period from 1861-1865). Aside from the random listing I catch on ebay every now and again, I really don't know of any reliable resources for these. I also need help with what to look for, such as brand, serial no., valve type, etc. Third, what is a "Cornopean"? I've seen pictures, I caught one on ebay, and someone in my band told me to look at them, but he never said why. How do they work? And by that I'm referring to the location of the air inlet to the valve casing, which is directly into the bottom where a normal valve's lower cap would be. Thanks guys! I hope my company doesn't block TM again... __________________ Ed Con... 1890's (est) LeFevre 691 Cornet 1890's (est) Harwood "Solo Model" Cornet 1954 Olds (LA) Ambassador Cornet 1956 Olds (EF) Ambassador Trumpet 1989 Selmer Bundy Trumpet 2007 Kanstul KSB100 3-Valve Bugle "Villains always have antidotes... they're funny that way. "

10-20-2009, 04:17 PM	#2
Sterling Piano User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Marcellus, NY Posts: 260	Re: Looking for an 1800's Cornet There is a store in your neck of the woods called Vintage Instruments. vintage-instruments.com I have purchased two Civil War era cornets from them and have been happy with the results. They are pricey, though. If you get a chance, check out our website, excelsiorcornetband.com

10-20-2009, 04:22 PM	#3
ChopsGone Piano User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 407	Re: Looking for an 1800's Cornet There's always fleaBay. I noticed an 1870's Distin/Boosey there within the last few days, and it appeared to be in pretty decent condition. Sorry, it's not on my watch list (already own one of similar age, although mine's not the Light Valve version). I believe it's still up for sale. While there, check in the Antiques section as well - the musical instruments/brass area will occasionally have a cornopean or other vintage instrument, although you probably won't like the prices. __________________ Vintage Olds and Reynolds, yes sir, yes sir, one gazoo full. Calicchios, Besson, Kanstul Bessons, Selmers, etc. F.E. forgive me, even a Bach Strad (but I like the others much better)

10-20-2009, 05:16 PM	#6
MFfan Forte User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 1,690	Re: Looking for an 1800's Cornet eBay ? Brass and items on eBay.com. Find IT on eBay. Here is the current page. The Cornet Compendium: History and Development of the 19th Century Cornet Here is a great source of info on 19th century cornets. __________________ Dave Rafferty Lemar Trumpet (peashooter-Conn?) Lyrical Trumpet (Tokan) Besson 609 Trumpet 1955-60 Besson 8-10 Trumpet 1948 Besson cornet 1946 King Master Cornet www.kalamazooconcertband.org

10-20-2009, 07:22 PM	#7
VetPsychWars Piano User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Greenfield WI Posts: 263	Re: Looking for an 1800's Cornet Just thinking off the top of my head, a company like Kanstul makes a full range of instruments. I wonder if they could be persuaded to assemble a rotary cornet that looks like a period instrument? Tom __________________ 1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet 1939, 1946 Buescher Aristocrat Trumpets 1955 Buescher 400 Cornet Meeuwsen custom 5C-ish mouthpiece Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band

10-21-2009, 12:12 AM	#9
vntgbrslvr Pianissimo User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Waukesha, Wisconsin Posts: 170	Re: Looking for an 1800's Cornet Check with Mark Metzler....This is somewhat his specialty. If he doesn't have it, he can probably find it, and restore it to boot. Metzler Brass __________________ Pan America Pea Shooter Conn Connquest 47 King Liberty Trumpet Bach Stratavarious (everyday horn) Yamaha TR-639 Rose bell 37 buescher Aristrocrat "custom built" Cornet Olds Studio (nickel plate) 57 conn 12A Coprion Holton Collegiate Cornet Conn Victor Cornet Conn 1914 Perfected wonder (C, B, A flat) Conn 1912 perfected wonder (C, B flat) Buescher 1903 Epoch Cornet 57 Olds Special Cornet Olds Ambassador Trumpet 1935 Mahillon Flugel Reynolds marching F

11-01-2009, 11:27 PM	#10
edcon1981 Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Philly Posts: 801	Re: Looking for an 1800's Cornet I picked up a pair of cornets off Ebay... while I doubt they're truly from the 1800's, they're still close enough to what I need. Here's the thread I started for them: New Horns __________________ Ed Con... 1890's (est) LeFevre 691 Cornet 1890's (est) Harwood "Solo Model" Cornet 1954 Olds (LA) Ambassador Cornet 1956 Olds (EF) Ambassador Trumpet 1989 Selmer Bundy Trumpet 2007 Kanstul KSB100 3-Valve Bugle "Villains always have antidotes... they're funny that way. "

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