MARTIN Fils Aine original late 19th century hand horn with PAXMAN and WEBB crooks and couplers
£1,575.00
'MARTIN Fils Ainé'
was a renowned musical instrument
retailer in Toulouse, rather than a
specialist horn maker as such.
There is a strong probability that this excellent,
free-blowing hand horn, with several Germanic (rather
than French) features, is a 'stencil' instrument; meaning
that it may have been made by a horn maker
in the Toulouse area, then stamped / engraved
with Martin's name.
Geographically, the nearest brass workshop
was that of GAUTIER.
There are several expertly-made patches on
the horn body. As can be seen in the photos, the inside of
the bell flare is matt black. The tuning slide is long
enough to enable playing at A430 pitch when
extended, but the horn's basic, default pitch is
A440.
The horn can be crooked in every key from Bb alto down to
Bb basso, using the 20th century reproduction crooks
by Paxman (F and Eb crooks) and Webb (Bb
alto crook) plus four couplers by John Webb.
The only key that requires more than one coupler between
a crook and the horn body is Bb basso. (See this
assembly of Eb crook and 3 couplers in photo #2.)
The whole outfit fits into a 'Gator' lightweight case with a
shoulder strap.
The photos can be viewed in greater detail
by opening and saving them.
Halstead Music acts as an agent only,
accepting no responsibility as a principal.