A. Lecomte & Cie "Cornopean" (±1878)

Manufactured between 1875 and 1878 by the prominent Parisian workshop A. Lecomte & Cie, this instrument is a magnificent example of a Cornopean—the direct predecessor to the modern cornet. It makes a fantastic addition to the collection, showcasing an early branch of brass history that eventually fell out of favor.

Authentic Cornopeans are pretty rare and highly sought after, usually commanding prices well out of reach for a modest hobby budget, even when they are completely broken or incomplete. Luckily, I managed to snag this piece by jumping on a rare bundle deal.

When it first arrived, it definitely showed the scars of a long, neglected life. It was completely missing its main tuning slide and two finger buttons, the brass bell had a massive, deep crease, and the delicate tubing was littered with smaller dents.

To get it back into a functioning state, I crafted a makeshift tuning slide from an old scrap cornet and sealed up the localized air leaks with some teflon tape. Thanks to these quick fixes, this rare 19th-century treasure is actually playable again.

Because the vintage valves have worn down over the last 150 years, the internal compression isn't perfectly airtight anymore. While it might not produce a great symphonic sound today, getting it working again gives a great firsthand feel for how an authentic Victorian-era instrument actually responds.