C. Mahillon (1939)

This is a B♭ flugelhorn manufactured by the Belgian firm C. Mahillon, dating precisely to 1939. By this time, the family-run enterprise had been taken over by Jean-Adrien Smits, a transition reflected in the engraving 'succ. J. Smits' (successor J. Smits). This specific horn features a Dutch emblem variant. Although the crest has faded slightly over the decades, its presence is a fascinating testament to Smits' Dutch roots and his marketing efforts in the Netherlands. The horn has stood the test of time remarkably well and remains an excellent, highly responsive player.

Preserving an instrument of this vintage always brings forward a classic collector's dilemma: to polish or not to polish. While bringing back a high mirror shine can look striking, it risks stripping away the honest, irreplaceable patina and character that a historic horn has naturally earned over nearly a century of existence. For now, its seasoned appearance tells its own story.