Hawkes & Son "Excelsior Class" (<1895)

This vintage B♭ cornet by the celebrated London workshop Hawkes & Son dates to before 1895, standing as a rugged example of late-Victorian British brass manufacturing from long before the historic 1930 merger with Boosey & Co.

While the horn has survived in undeniably rough shape—complete with deep historical dents and a slightly misshapen bell flare—the underlying construction is so robust that it remains somewhat playable today. It does face some mechanical hurdles, namely a leaky water-key and a severely loose main tuning slide that allow vital air pressure to escape. Yet, in sharp contrast to its battered body, the bell features a beautifully preserved, hand-cut decorative engraving that still proudly highlights the premium craftsmanship of the turn-of-the-century London factory.