Can someone tell me about this horn?

[Disposabledolphin]

I think it is a baritone, but it might be a euphonium
Picture here: http://imgur.com/JyIj4oz
If you can't read all of it, it says
"F Besson
Paris
Brevete
S.G.D.G.
66 Hautes Recompenses
6 Grand Prix
Hors Concours
Membre du Jury
Made in France
6126"

[MarChant]

I don't think you can tell just from a picture of the engraving on the bell.

[Disposabledolphin]

Sorry I wasn't specific, I'm not actually asking if it is a baritone or a euphonium. I'm just trying to figure out some info about the horn itself such as how old it is and what any of that writing means

[bbocaner]

I'd wager it's probably a saxhorn basse from about 1900, but without seeing the whole picture it's hard to guess.

F Besson means Fontaine Besson, also colloquially known as French Besson, which is an offshoot of the English Besson we all know.

Paris is of course where it was made.

Brevete SGDG means "patented"

the hautes recompenses, grand prix, hors concours is basically advertising -- telling you about all the great reviews, grand prizes, and high honors the company has won for their instruments. Membre du Jury means they are a member of the jury, suggesting that they are an established instrument maker.

6126 might be a serial number.

[highpitch]

It appears Barry & I posted simultaneously, but here is my take.

First off, it probably dates to the late 19th century or early 20th. French origin. Restored, or a museum quality survivor.

As to just what type of horn, without a complete photo it is hard to say. Euph, baritone, saxhorn, maybe even a tuba.

Dennis

[Disposabledolphin]

Awesome! Here's a picture of the whole thing next to a trumpet for size reference http://imgur.com/BEG7l77

[Disposabledolphin]

Also I know this is fairly impossible to say, but if anyone has any ideas about how much this kind of horn would be worth, that would be interesting to know

[John Morgan]

Looks like a baritone to my untrained eye!!

[dsurkin]

Looks like a baritone to my untrained eye!!

I'm thinking saxhorn because there's a tuning slide on the tube before it enters the 1st valve.

[highpitch]

I agree it looks like a generic Bb baritone. Somewheres around the $250-500 range.

The location of the tuning slide isn't an indication of a saxhorn. Many lower brass were configured that way (to the detriment of intonation in most cases).

To be a period-correct (ca 1900) European saxhorn, it would have to be a 4-valve instrument; The third valve loop should be 2 full steps rather than 1-1/2. The fourth valve would be a 2-1/2 step as usual.

Here is an older post with better pix: http://www.dwerden.com/forum/showthr...181#post132181

Please don't confuse this with the much older, American over-the-shoulder Civil War era horns referred to as saxhorns as well.

Dennis

[Disposabledolphin]

Very cool! Thanks for the help everyone! I am sure I will be able to tell more easily what horn it is once I find a mouthpiece for it because then I can narrow it down based on the key. I would say this was a pretty lucky find

[John Morgan]

Dennis,

Your pictures of your horn (which I would like to see very much) do not open and seem to not be live links. Is my computer goofed up or something else? Perhaps a moderator can try as well to see if they can get your photos to open??

[bbocaner]

There is no such thing as a F. Besson "baritone". The size comparison to the trumpet makes me think it's a saxhorn alto, essentially a French-made alto horn, although it's possible it's a saxhorn tenore, which serves the same function as a baritone, but made for french bands. I agree with the $250-$500 range assessment, although maybe a bit more since the condition looks so nice. I'm sticking with the circa 1900 guess, give or take 15 years on either side.

[davewerden]

Dennis,

Your pictures of your horn (which I would like to see very much) do not open and seem to not be live links. Is my computer goofed up or something else? Perhaps a moderator can try as well to see if they can get your photos to open??

I can't edit it in a useful way. The photos look like they are attached, but the links don't work for me either. Not sure why!

[Disposabledolphin]

Since you all seem to be the experts, what mouthpiece should I be looking for? A normal baritone mouthpiece wouldn't fit probably?