Echo cornet, nominal pitch: C etc

F. Besson

Instrument

Echo cornet

Instrument Family

Wind

Maker

F. Besson

Place Made

United Kingdom; London; Europe; England

Date Made

Circa 1883

Description

Silver-plated brass. Leadpipe enters 3rd valve casing at the right; 3rd valve loop leaves from front and returns to front; connecting pipe to echo valve bellpipe exits 1st valve casing at the left. Fourth (echo) valve diverts air column from normal bell to muted bell for echo effect. Additional tuning-slide for echo bell. Single water-key. With shanks for C or B♭, B, A; crook for A♭ (probably not original); with alternative tuning-slides for high and low pitch, and tuning-slide extension for B♭, A and A♭. Valve type: 3 Périnet valves, top-sprung with compression spring outside stem; alignment by key on piston. Echo valve of Périnet type, bottom-sprung; alignment by key on piston. Signature: Inscribed on bell "31 MEDALS OF HONOUR" within banner / FR monogram / "F. BESSON / BREVETÉ / 198 EUSTON ROAD / LONDON" / five-pointed star. Usable pitch: Old Philharmonic and low pitch. Repair History: The crook for A♭ is probably a replacement supplied by previous owner. Maker: F. Besson. London. Circa 1883. Serial number: 29420. Overall size: 329; bell 119. Sounding length: low pitch tuning slide 45mm longer than high pitch; tuning slide extension adds 149mm to sounding length. Overall air column lengths: bit (a) 40.6, shank (b) 85.1, shank (c) 147.2, shank (d) 170.6, crook (e) 264 (single coil). Bore: shank (b) at c 30mm from mouthpiece receiver (minimum bore) 8.5; shank (b) at distal end, 9.3; instrument body at c 40mm from shank/crook receiver (local minimum bore) 10.2; m.t.s. at c 255mm from shank/crook receiver, tuning slide bore 11.7; v.t.s. (3,2,1) 12.0. Dia of mouthpiece receiver: Internal tapers: bit (a) 9.5 9.0, shank (b) 9.5 8.7, shank (c) 9.4 8.7, shank (d) 9.4 8.7, crook (e) 9.4 8.7; external tapers, bit (a) 9.0 9.7, shank (b) 11.0 11.9, shank (c) 11.0 11.8, shank (d) 11.0 12.0, crook (e) 11.5 12.4; shank/crook receiver taper 12.0 11.0. shanks for C or Bb, B, A; crook for Ab (probably not original); with alternative tuning slides for high and low pitch, and tuning slide extension for Bb, A and Ab. Valve type: 3 Périnet valves, top sprung with compression spring outside stem; alignment by key on piston. Echo valve of Périnet type, bottom sprung; alignment by key on piston. Inscribed on bell "31 MEDALS OF HONOUR" within banner / FR monogram / "F. BESSON / BREVETÉ / 198 EUSTON ROAD / LONDON" / five pointed star. Inscribed on top and bottom caps and sides of valve casings: 1st valve "4", 2nd valve "5", 3rd valve "6", 4th valve "3"; on side of 2nd valve casing "F. BESSON" / five pointed star / "BREVETEE", all within ellipse, / "29420". Inscribed on bit (a) no inscription; shank (b) on ferrule "506", and on lug "1"; on shank (c) on ferrule "420" and "B_", and on lug "1"; shank (d) on ferrule "420" and "A_", and on lug "1"; crook (e) on mouthpipe "LAb". (Note that "420" on (c) and (d) tallies with instrument serial number "29420".) 1st and 3rd tuning slides graduated for B, Bb and A. Playing accessories: tuning bit; music card holder; all silver plated brass. With lined leather case, probably original. Four tenon protectors. The crook for Ab is probably a replacement supplied by previous owner. Usable pitch: Old Philharmonic and low pitch. Performance characteristics: Echo slightly sharp but can be adjusted by slide. Purchased by lender with and possibly formerly used with mouthpiece (1452). Specific literature references: Dullat 1992 p.36. Illustration references: Vol. 1 p.133; Dullat 1992 p.37; World Wide Web picture at http://www.music.ed.ac.uk/euchmi/ Specific recording references: World Wide Web demonstration recording at http://www.music.ed.ac.uk/euchmi/ Previous ownership: ex John Webb collection.

Notes

Arnold Myers; L. Haigh, 28.9.85; R. Parks, 22.5.93, 24.4.99.

Measurements

329; bell 119.

Provenance

ex- John Webb collection.; on loan to the Collection.

Collection

MIMEd

Accession Number

1451