DuncanDisorderly

I have a Besson 'Prorotype' cornet with the serial number 109240 stamped on the second valve.
I inherited it from my grandfather who played in several brass bands as a youth and I wonder if anyone here has any idea of its age, value or anything else about this instrument?

SteveB

Do you have any pics??

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Steve Bolander

Bach Strad 37, Olds Mendez cornet, (2) Olds Ambassador cornets, Gretsch (Couesnon) Pathfinder Bb/A, Getzen Capri flugelhorn, Getzen Eterna 940 piccolo

Bugles Across America

Cornet1

It was made circa 1918. It has a quaint, sweet oldfashioned tone. It is smaller bore than today. It was the mainstay of the worlds top brass bands from about 1880 to WWII. It has detachable shanks between mpc and the instrument. It was made in London and is engraved as such. It is almost certainly in 'high pitch' (if converted to orchestral pitch it will have small detachable collars on the valve slides) It should be in a leather top loading case with buckled straps It is known in British bands as a 'peashooter' and is obsolete for modern band use.

Value depends on condition and where it is offered for sale.

Voltrane

Hello,

Cornet1, what is the use of the detachable shank between the mouthpiece and the instrument? I have one Class A Prototype "Imported by Carl Fisher" sn 98XXX (a straight one, not a Shepherd's Crook one) and the vintage Frederick mouthpiece I have perfectly adapts with the instrument without using the detachable shank.
Thanks a lot.
Best regards.
Marc

Cornet1

Marc,

Your cornet was made circa 1912/3.

The purpose of the shank is to change key. Cornets were historically required to perform the same parts as their predecesors, namely the cornopean,..and even earlier the key bugle and cornett which offered parts in several keys notable Bb, A and C. as such the cornet had shanks available like the cornopean to change the key with just one instrument.

In brass bands the shanks were not utilised and where supplied with the cornet remained in the case. The istruments which we learned on as children had the shanks in the cases and they were black with age as we were forbidden to play with them.

For a mpc which fits the cornet reciever in place of the shank, suspect a trumpet mpc fitting. Cornet mpcs of this era were very small in fit as can be seen by the mpc end of the shanks.

The short shank is the Bb one. The slightly longer one is the A shank and the long (or coiled) one is the C.

DuncanDisorderly

Some photos.
The removable section of tubing "shank?" that connects the mouthpiece to the body of the instrument can clearly be seen in the photos.
In the case, there is a compartment underneath the cornet that has two further shanks- one about 83mm long and the other 165mm.

I was a bit disappointed that it is "obsolete for modern band use", as I was rather hoping I could find a local band who'd be interested in a new 4th cornet (although I learnt on the trombone, I can knock out a tune on the cornet without much trouble). Surely one of the three shanks I have would be able to bring the cornet into a key that is used by modern bands?

Does anyone know of any bands in the south Birmingham (UK) area?

Dr. Zink

That is definitely a high pitch instrument. There should be a longer slide that inserts in the bend that enters the third valve, otherwise the A shank will bring it down to A440. I have one exactly like it only about 20 years older. I just love it to death. Great sound as it is, but put the A pipe on it and it turns into the Barry White of cornets!

Dr. Z

Voltrane

Hello,

here are some picture of my shank. It is not that long...Nothing to do with the usual cornet shanks...That why I was wondering what is could be used for. Could it be a way to change from high to low pitch? (Without the shank it plays in normal pitch).
Regards.
Marc
The shank


Without the shank


With the shank

vntgbrslvr

That may be less of a shank and more of a conversion for a cornet mouthpiece to be used in a trumpet style receiver.

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RichR

I recentlly acquired an old English Besson "prototype" Cornet that is in rough shape and is missing the shank. I would love to refurbish this cornet but not unless I can find a shank. Any ideas where I might locate one?