Couesnon (1929)

Couesnon & Cie. Cornet
Archived Collection Piece: This instrument is no longer held in the physical collection.

This B♭ cornet, manufactured by the prominent French firm Couesnon & Cie. in 1929, belongs to a brand that holds a deeply personal significance within the history of my collection. Because the very first vintage brass instrument I ever acquired was a Couesnon, the French maker has always commanded my special interest, leading me to curate several of their models over the years. This particular specimen survived in good, fully playable condition. Professionally engineered during the interwar period, the cornet plays in modern B♭ only when utilizing the long tuning bit originally intended to pitch the instrument down to A, which strongly indicates that its native tuning is built to the traditional High Pitch standard. Because it was one of many similar French cornets in my possession, I ultimately decided to let it go so that another enthusiast could enjoy its wonderful playing qualities.