Prussian Cornet, Berliner Pumpen Valved
This instrument was acquired in a trade with an acquaintance for a baritone horn. It was found at an estate sale in Sheboygan Wisconsin in the mid 1970s.I am told by Dr. Herbert Hyde that it is a Prussian Cornet and that it dates to the mid 1840s. When I acquired it I sent it to Bob Pallansch in Fall River Virginia for repairs. Enough to make it presentable for display. It has been on display ever since that time and I would not consider using it for performance as it is very airy. Valves are the squat, early Berliner “Pumpen” which were made popular by Willhelm Wieprich, director of the Gard du Corps band in Berlin in the mid 1800s. The bell is 3 inches in diameter. I am told that the heart shaped decoration on the bell might indicate that it was used in a cavalry band. Like most collections, mine tells a story. That story is the development of valve systems on brass instruments after keyed brasses became obsolete. The Berliner Pumpen valve seems to have faded in popularity after the 1890s
A detailed description of the horn is: a soprano horn in Bb, bell front with side mounted Berliner pumpen piston valves. Mouthpipe is fixed and includes a period mouthpiece. The body of the horn is brass with brass bracing and brass brace plates. Ferrules are brass and the bell garland is German silver. Top valve caps are brass and the bottom of the valves are also brass. Piston buttons are German Silver. A decorative German Silver heart appears on the bell (cavalry band symbol?) German silver accents also are used on the bell bow guard, main bow ferrule and the 1st and 2nd valve pull plates. Length of the horn is16 inches, bell diameter is 3 inches, width is 5 1/2 inches and the bell garland width is 3/4 inch. There is a punched floral pattern in the bell garland. There is a fitted mahogany carrying case included with this horn.
