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The brass wing ferrule is interesting in that the name ‘Bussey’ is not connected in any way to the manufacture or repair of musical instruments. In fact, ‘George Bussey & Co, were world renowned sports equipment manufacturers in Peckham, London The crook was made by Alfred W. Morton (1827-1898). Morton was a professional oboist who developed a set of unique tools for the manufacture of oboes and bassoons.
Bassoon
Cahusac
London
Europe
England
United Kingdom

Instrument Information

Title

Bassoon, nominal pitch: C

Accession Number

0148

Collection

MIMEd; Langwill Collection

Date Information

Date Made

Circa 1790

Period

18th century; 1780s; 1790s

Gallery Information

Gallery

Laigh Room

Case

18th-century orchestra display

Maker Information

Maker Name

Cahusac

Maker Biography

Thomas Cahusac Jr (b 1756) was a British-born woodwind instrument maker who worked in partnership with his father, Thomas Cahusac Sr, and brother William Maurice from 1794 in Reading, England. The firm made flutes, oboes, clarinets, and had a with specific emphasis on bassoons. At the height of the company’s operations, they also sold string and keyboard instruments and published music. After his father’s death the brothers continued in partnership until about 1800 when the partnership dissolved.

Made In

City

London

Country

England

Description

Technical Description

Technical description: Dark brown stained maple with brass ferrules and keywork. Wing with square ivory bush to F finger-hole for L1. F key for R4 fishtailed. Bell with slim baluster profile and inverse choke. Brass crook with nipple, by Morton.

L0: T; B♭; D; E♭.
L1: T.
L2: T.
L3: T.
R0: T; F♯.
R1: T.
R2: T.
R3: T.
R4: F; A♭.

Keyhead type: 3 spatula and 3 shield-shaped.

With wing plug.

Superficial crack on butt.
Wing cut at top with replaced ferrule; apart from this slight shortening at wing tip, this instrument appears to be unaltered.

Usable pitch: A₄ = c 415 Hz.

Signature / Marks: Stamped on four main sections "CAHUSAC / LONDON"; inscribed on wing ferrule inscribed "BUSSEY & CO. / LONDON"; inscribed on crook "A M / & / S" in shield trademark.

Illustration references: Vol. 1 p.83.

(Langwill Collection).

Classification

Instrument

Bassoon/Bassoons/Wind/Musical Instrument ; Bassoon

Instrument Family

Wind

Hornbostel Sachs Classification

422.112 ; musical instrument