C. Mahillon "412" (1950)

This is a model 412 piston valve horn, manufactured in 1950 by the historic Belgian firm C. Mahillon under the post-takeover era of Jean Smits ('succ. J. Smits'). Built heavily on the French school of design, this specific single horn utilizes a changing crook system and comes complete with its original matching crooks for both F and E♭. Historically, the model 412 holds a fascinating place in brass evolution. Earlier iterations of this model were engineered with a removable valve block—often referred to as a sauterelle system—which allowed the performer to completely detach the mechanics and play the instrument as a classical natural horn. This 1950 specimen represents a later evolutionary phase of the design, featuring a permanently fixed valve block.
The complete outfit has been remarkably well preserved over the decades; it remains in good overall condition and is accompanied by its original case, both essential tuning crooks, and the original period-correct mouthpiece.