Soprano sarrusophone, nominal pitch: B♭

Henry Distin

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Instrument

Sarrusophone/Bassoons/Wind/Musical Instrument ; Sarrusophone

Instrument Family

Wind

Maker

Henry Distin

Place Made

London ; Europe ; England ; United Kingdom

Date Made

Circa 1865

Description

Technical description: Brass with brass keys. Made in one piece, with a separate, brass crook. There is a rest for the left thumb, both octave keys are mounted above this rest next to each other. The fingering system is very close to the modern saxophone fingering the main differences being the separately acting octave keys and the lack of articulation on the G♯. System: adapted saxophone fingering L0: sup; 81; 82. L1: P. L2: P. L3: P. L4: G♯; low C♯; low B. R0: sup; low B♭. R1: P; B♭; C-alt; C♯ tr; Dtr. R2: P. R3: P. R4: E♭; Low C. Keyhead type: cups. Keymount type: pillars. The pillar supporting the axle for the E♭ and low B keys has been resoldered into position. Usable pitch: Old Philharmonic pitch. A = 453 Hz Performance characteristics: Because of the condition of the keywork very few notes were playable. A modern oboe d'amore staple fitted the crook a produced a powerful, reedy and full sound. Signature/Marks: On the bell with "HENRY DISTIN. / MAKER / 10 GT NEWPORT ST / LEICESTER SQUARE / LONDON / No 8237". Current ownership: Gift of Reginalt Tritton Esq.

Notes

S. Milton, 11.8.09.

Measurements

621.

Provenance

Gift of Reginald Tritton Esq.

Collection

MIMEd

Accession Number

4057