Piccolos, Fifes and Flutes

 

2.1 - Piccolo | 2.2 - Piccolo | 2.3 - Fife | 2.4 - Flute | 2.5 - Flute | 2.6 - Flute | 2.7 - Flute | 2.8 - Flute | 2.9 - Flute | 2.10 - Flute

Terminology and Glossary | Cataloguing Standards

 

Catalogue number: 2.1
Original name: Piccolo in G.
Type or system: 1 Key.
Maker: Richard Bilton.
Place of origin: London, c.1826-56.
Further information on maker: This Piccolo is considered to be a unique example of the maker.
Overall size: 246mm.
Technical description: Boxwood with ivory ferrules in two sections. 1 brass key with square flap (flap design F ) mounted by a raised block. Spring attached by rivet to the underside of the key. Slightly oval embouchure hole. Head joint: 108mm; main joint: 150mm.
Key work and Finger-holes. Diameter (av.). Distance from foot (distance to hole centres).
Left hand, first finger: 4.8mm 118.8mm
Left hand, first finger: 5.1mm 111.6mm
Left hand, second finger: 4.4mm 85.3mm
Right hand, first finger: 4.3mm 66.2mm
Right hand, second finger: 5.1mm 51mm
Right hand, third finger: 4.2mm 35mm
Right hand, fourth finger: D sharp / E flat key
Inscription: Stamped on head joint: “BILTON/ LONDON”/ [motif: unicorn’s head] / “9 [3] WESTMINSTER / BRIDGE ROAD”; Stamped on body: “BILTON/ LONDON”/ [motif: unicorn’s head].
Repair history: Tenons bound with cork.
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 440 Hz.
Illustration references: See below
Recording references: Click here
Previous owner: William Bentley.
Previous collection numbers: A and B: Item 32c.
Collection assignation: Shareshill Church Collection.

 

  • 1.1 - Richard Bilton Piccolo in G
  • 1.1 - Richard Bilton Piccolo in G
  • 1.1 - Richard Bilton Piccolo in G
  • 1.1 - Richard Bilton Piccolo in G
  • 1.1 - Richard Bilton Piccolo in G
  • 1.1 - Richard Bilton Piccolo in G

 

 

Catalogue number: 2.2
Original name: Piccolo in C.
Type or system: Simple System.
Maker: Alfred [… Birmingham].
Place of origin: Birmingham, c.1860.
Overall size: 306mm.
Bore: Head joint: ellipse embouchure hole (9mm by 10mm) - 10.9mm; lower joint: 11.7mm - 8.1mm.
Technical description: 2 sections of grenadilla with German silver keys. Needle springs. Head joint: 126.2mm, lower joint: 197mm. German silver ferrules and lining. Cork slider.
Inscription: Engraved on middle ferrule: “B.S.M” (Birmingham School of Music).
Faults: Slider damaged. Head joint leaking.
Illustration references: See below
Previous owner: William Bentley.
Previous collection numbers: A and B: Item 26.

 

  • 2.2 - Alfred Piccolo in C
  • 2.2 - Alfred Piccolo in C
  • 2.2 - Alfred Piccolo in C
  • Some alt text
  • 2.2 - Alfred Piccolo in C
  • 2.2 - Alfred Piccolo in C
  • 2.2 - Alfred Piccolo in C
  • 2.2 - Alfred Piccolo in C

 

 

Catalogue number: 2.3
Original name: Fife in C.
Maker: Thomas Cahusac I.
Place of origin: London, c.1738 – 1798.
Overall size: 398.3mm.
Sounding length: 310.5mm.
Bore diameter: 10.3mm.
Technical description: 1 section, 6 holes, brass ferrule on upper end, lower ferrule missing. Embouchure and finger-holes slightly oval. Embouchure hole diameter: 7.6mm - 8.5mm. Cork tuning stopper.
Finger-holes. Diameter (av.). Distance from foot (distance to hole centres).
Left hand, first finger: 5.6mm 168.4mm
Left hand, second finger: 6mm 144.3mm
Left hand, third finger: 6mm 125mm
Right hand, first finger: 6.4mm 99.5mm
Right hand, second finger: 6.4mm 88.6mm
Right hand, third finger: 5.5mm 57.4mm
Inscription: Stamped on Top joint: “C / CAHUSAC / LONDON”.
Faults: Slightly warped, very small crack at top, brass Ferrule missing.
General usage: British Military Instrument, late 18th / early 19th century.
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = c.430 Hz.
Performance characteristics: Octaves are not in tune but the tuning cork is stuck.
Illustration references: See below
Previous owner: William Bentley.
Previous collection numbers: A and B: Item 27.

 

  • 2.3 - Thomas Cahusac I Fife in C
  • 2.3 - Thomas Cahusac I Fife in C

 

 

Catalogue number: 2.4
Original name: Flute in B flat.
Type or system: 5 keys.
Maker: G. Potter & Co. fl. 1860 -1939.
Place of origin: Aldershot, England, late 19th century.
Workshop established by George Potter, son of Henry. No link has been established between this Potter family and that of the other Potters who flourished in the 19th century, of which item 10.9 is an example.
Overall size: 389mm total length.
Technical description: 2 sections of cocus. Head joint: 154mm; main joint: 235mm. 5 keys with modern style salt spoon key flaps mounted by post and axles. Spring attached by rivets to underside of key, spring ends rest on round metal plugs recessed into the wood. Large and slightly oval embouchure hole.
Key work and Finger holes. Finger hole diameter (av.).
Left hand thumb: T 6.5mm
Left hand, second finger: T 7.5mm
Left hand, third finger: T 4.8mm
Left hand, fourth finger: T C key
Right hand, first finger T; G sharp key 6.7mm
Right hand, second finger T; short F key 7.7mm
Right hand, third finger T 5mm
Right hand, fourth finger D sharp / E flat key
Inscription: Stamped on Head joint: “GEO. POTTER & CO / ALDERSHOT”.
Faults: Tuning screw damaged - cork missing.
Repair history: D sharp / E flat key has been repaired.
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 460 Hz.
Illustration references: See below

 

  • 2.4 - G. Potter & Co. Flute in B flat
  • 2.4 - G. Potter & Co. Flute in B flat
  • 2.4 - G. Potter & Co. Flute in B flat

 

 

Catalogue number: 2.5
Original name: Flute in F.
Type or system: 1 key.
Maker: Joseph Riley & Sons fl 1851-1894.
Place of origin: Birmingham, late 19th century.
Riley & Sons had a workshop in Henrietta Street and Hampton Street from 1851 and in 1894 the company moved to 25 Constitution Hill. Kelly’s Directory, 1867: 25 Constitution Hill.
Overall size: 504mm total length.
Technical description: 4 sections of rosewood. Head joint: 193mm; upper joint: 177mm; lower joint: 115; foot joint: 75mm. 1 silver key with salt spoon style keyhead mounted on a round ring; Spring attached to the underside of key. 5 silver ferrules. Slightly oval embouchure hole.
Key work and Finger holes. Finger hole diameter (av.).
Left hand, first finger: T 6.1mm
Left hand, second finger: T 7.3mm
Left hand, third finger: T 6.1mm
Right hand, first finger: T 7.5mm
Right hand, second finger: T 8.0mm
Right hand, third finger: T 5.9mm
Right hand, fourth finger: D sharp / E flat
Inscription: Stamped on Head joint: “RILEY & SONS / JOSEPH / BIRMINGHAM”.
Faults: 1 small crack on lower joint.
Usable pitch: Plays at c.a’ = 440 Hz.
Recording references: Click here
Illustration references: See below
Previous collection numbers: B: Item U.S. 12.

 

  • 2.5 - Joseph Riley & Sons Flute in F
  • 2.5 - Joseph Riley & Sons Flute in F

 

 

Catalogue number: 2.6
Original name: Flute in F.
Type or system: 6 keys.
Maker: Unknown.
Place of origin: England, late 19th century.
Technical description: 3 sections of rosewood or cocus. Head joint: 185mm; middle joint: 176mm; lower joint: 170mm. No separate foot-joint. 6 modern style salt spoon keys mounted on one raised round ring, one raised round half ring and four raised blocks. 4 silver decorative ferrules; slightly oval embouchure hole.
Key work and Finger holes. Finger hole diameter (av.).
Left hand thumb: B flat key
Left hand, first finger: T 6.3mm
Left hand, second finger: T 7.3mm
Left hand, third finger: T 6.5mm
Right hand, first finger: T; G sharp, long C key 7.2mm
Right hand, second finger: T 8.1mm
Right hand, third finger: T; long F key 6.5mm
Right hand, fourth finger: D sharp / E flat key
Inscription: “[motif: crown] / IMPROVED / LONDON / F”.
Faults: Crack on the mouth-piece through the joint and spanning its length. Slight crack on the foot joint. Tuning stop missing, though there is cork on the inside. The key movement is a bit stiff.
Repair history: Tenons rebound with string, leather pads replaced. Mouth-piece crack has been glued.
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 460 Hz.
Illustration references: See below
Previous collection numbers: B: Item U.S. 12.

 

  • 2.7 - Unknown Flute in C
  • 2.7 - Unknown Flute in C
  • 2.7 - Unknown Flute in C
  • 2.7 - Unknown Flute in C

 

 

Catalogue number: 2.7
Original name: Flute in C.
Type or system: 5 keys.
Maker: Unknown.
Place of origin: Probably England, late 19th century.
Overall size: 615mm.
Technical description: 5 sections, probably blackwood. Head joint: 168mm (206mm including metal tuning sleeve); barrel: 62mm (77mm including metal tuning sleeve); upper joint: 212mm; lower joint: 37mm; foot joint: 92mm. 5 modern style silver keys mounted by posts and axles without plates; “Continental” style metal fittings on ends of tenons. Metal telescopic tuning slide; screw stopper; slightly oval embouchure hole.
Key work and Finger holes. Finger hole diameter (av.).
Left hand thumb: (key) B flat
Left hand, first finger: T 6.6mm
Left hand, second finger: T 6.6mm
Left hand, third finger: T (key) 5.5mm
Right hand, first finger: T; (key) 6.7mm
Right hand, second finger: T 6.7mm
Right hand, third finger: T; Long F key 5.4mm
Right hand, fourth finger: D sharp / E flat key
Faults: arrel and foot joints, both repaired. The instrument is slightly warped. Crack on inside of barrel (joints leaking air), crack on outside of foot-joint.
Repair history: Tenons have been replaced with cork. Key touch pieces have been backed with cork.
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 440 Hz.
Recording references: Click here
Illustration references: See below

 

  • 2.7 - Unknown Flute in C
  • 2.7 - Unknown Flute in C
  • 2.7 - Unknown Flute in C
  • 2.7 - Unknown Flute in C

 

 

Catalogue number: 2.8
Original name: Flute in C.
Type or system: 8 keys “Simple System”.
Maker: Card & Co.
Place of origin: London, c.1861-1876.
Workshop established by William Card (b 1788; d 1861); 1851 described as ‘designer and manufacturer of flutes’ and ‘professor of flute’ he developed a flute model based on Boehm’s 1832 system. 1861 his son Edward John (b 1817; d 1877) became successor, now as ‘Card & Co.’
Overall size: 680mm.
Technical description: 5 sections of blackwood or grenadilla. Head joint: 177mm (217mm with metal tuning slide); barrel: 66mm (87mm with metal tuning slide); upper joint: 218mm; lower joint: 134mm; foot joint: 152mm); 8 silver modern style keys mounted by posts and axles without plates; overlapping C/C sharp touches. Springs attached by rivets to the key. Circular embouchure hole. Telescopic metal tuning slide, adjustable tuning stopper.
Key work and Finger holes. Finger hole diameter (av.).
Left hand thumb: (key) B flat
Left hand, first finger: T 6.4mm
Left hand, second finger: T 8.0mm
Left hand, third finger: T 6.0mm
Left hand, third finger: G sharp key; Long F key
Right hand, first finger: T; C key 8.1mm
Right hand, second finger: T 8.8mm
Right hand, third finger: T; cross F key, C sharp, low C 5.8mm
Right hand, fourth finger: D sharp / E flat key
Inscription: Stamped on Head joint: “CARD & CO / LONDON”; Stamped on Upper joint: “588 / CARD & CO / QUADRT / REGENT ST / LONDON”; Stamped on Foot joint: “CARD & CO / LONDON”.
Faults: Head joint and barrel cracked. Barrel may not be original. Long F key missing (hole plugged with resin). Crack across embouchure.
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 446 Hz.
Illustration references: See below

 

  • 2.8 - Card & Co. Flute in C
  • 2.8 - Card & Co. Flute in C
  • 2.8 - Card & Co. Flute in C
  • 2.8 - Card & Co. Flute in C
  • 2.8 - Card & Co. Flute in C
  • 2.8 - Card & Co. Flute in C

 

 

Catalogue number: 2.9
Original name: Flute in C.
Type or system: 8 keys.
Maker: William Henry Potter fl. 1806 - 1837.
Place of origin: London, c.1809 - 1814.
Overall size: 668mm.
Technical description: 5 sections of ebony or blackwood: Head joint: 167mm (196mm including patent metal tuning slide); barrel: 90mm; upper joint: 210mm; lower joint: 139mm; foot joint: 158mm); 8 silver keys with pewter plugs; silver mouthpiece; slightly oval embouchure hole; overlapping C/C sharp touches. Large finger holes. Ivory ferrules. Silver patent ‘glide’ style. (Flute key mechanism giving ‘a sliding motion to valve’).
Key work and Finger holes. Finger hole diameter (av.).
Left hand thumb: B flat
Left hand, first finger: T 6.1mm
Left hand, first finger: T 6.1mm
Left hand, second finger: T 7.2mm
Left hand, third finger: T; G sharp key; long F key 6.2mm
Right hand, first finger: T; C key 7.5mm
Right hand, second finger: T 7.2mm
Right hand, third finger: T; cross F key 5.0mm
Right hand, fourth finger: D sharp / E flat key; low C sharp key; low C key
Inscription: Stamped on Head joint ferrule: “PATENT”; Stamped on Barrel: “WILLm. HENy / POTTER / JOHNSON’S COURT / FLEET STREET / LONDON”; Stamped on Upper joint: “WILLm. HENy / POTTER”; Stamped on Lower joint: “PATENT / WILLm. HENy / POTTER”.
Faults: Crack in head joint, barrel in 2 pieces. Long F key has been bent down. Silver embouchure sleeve is loose. Tuning screw cork has broken off.
Recording references: LINK
Illustration references: See below
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 430 Hz.
Previous owner: J. M . Nicholson. Donated to Birmingham School of Music, 1943.
Previous collection numbers: A and B: Item 75.

 

  • 2.9 - William Henry Potter Flute in C
  • 2.9 - William Henry Potter Flute in C
  • 2.9 - William Henry Potter Flute in C
  • 2.9 - William Henry Potter Flute in C
  • 2.9 - William Henry Potter Flute in C
  • 2.9 - William Henry Potter Flute in C

 

 

Catalogue number: 2.10
Original name: Flute in C.
Type or system: 8 keys.
Maker: Unknown.
Place of origin: Possibly German due to the characteristic end cap, late 19th century.
Overall size: 655mm.
Technical description: 5 sections of ebony or blackwood. Head joint: 150mm (197mm including metal tuning sleeve); barrel: 72mm; upper joint: 217mm; lower joint: 133mm; foot joint: 149mm. 8 modern style silver keys mounted by post and axles. Screw tuning stopper; slightly oval embouchure hole; adjacent C/C sharp touches. Silver surrounds to the 6 finger holes.
Key work and Finger holes. Finger hole diameter (av.).
Left hand thumb B flat
Left hand, first finger: T 6.3mm
Left hand, second finger: T 6.1mm
Left hand, third finger: T; G sharp; long F 5.9mm
Right hand, first finger: T; C 7.3mm
Right hand, second finger: T 7.3mm
Right hand, third finger: T; cross F 5.4mm
Right hand, fourth finger: E flat; low C sharp; low C
Faults: Crack the length of barrel and head joint.
Repair history: Re-padded shortly before 2000. Tenons replaced with cork.
Illustration references: See below.
Recording references: Click here

 

  • 2.10 - Unknown Flute in C
  • 2.10 - Unknown Flute in C
  • 2.10 - Unknown Flute in C
  • 2.10 - Unknown Flute in C