Tom Coffey wrote:I had one of these in Eb. It was a good little horn. I think the design won the french medal of honor (probably at a World's Fair or a big trade exposition) in 1878, and they stamped it on the horns as a matter of pride/advertising. I am downswizing horns right now, and not acquiring, but I think this looks like a BBb, too, and I would buy it if I had not firmly resolved to thin the herd.
Thanks for the recommendation.
I got it. It's heavy in comparison to others of similar size and type.
It also takes a kaiser shank, but came with an adapter and a bach 25 (i assume it's bach, 'cause on the outside it's identical to a bach 18 of mine, but it just says 25 on it).
Will it be worth the effort to find the right sized mouthpiece?
Still trying to find a clue as for age. Certainly younger than 1900, as the 1878 came from a line of dates which yeah, probably were when they won the awards: 1878, 1889, 1900. I expected to see a year in the little design (which i've read is what Couesnon does?) but what can be seen there doesn't yet make sense to me.
I'll post pictures at some point in the near future, in the hopes someone can shed light on it, and to satisfy anyone's curiosity. (Place holder for future pictures...)
Tuning slide is also worth comment, as it goes inside on one side and outside on the other, such that the exposed edge on the inside is leeward (away from the mouthpiece). This was a relief to me, as i'd interpreted the exposed slide as something that might need to be fixed when looking at it on the ebay pictures. Valve slides are all normal, though a few have cracks have starting.
But yeah, after a bit of cleaning, it sounds worth the effort to me.
Enjoy!