Gautrot Brevete

This is a rare 9-key Ophicleide in B♭, manufactured by the prominent French firm Gautrot.

Pinpointing the exact production timeline for this instrument presents a classic archival challenge due to the overlapping histories of the company's branding. The horn features the signature Gautrot anchor logo alongside the inscription 'Gautrot Breveté à Paris'. While this specific combination was officially registered in 1875, historical evidence suggests the workshop may have utilized this trademark much earlier, potentially as far back as 1845. The upper boundary of its production window is marked by the year 1877, when the corporate entity officially transitioned to 'Gautrot Aîné, Durand & Cie'. Consequently, while a definitive manufacturing year is impossible to establish, the instrument stands as a remarkable artifact from the golden age of 19th-century French brass innovation.

Following a thorough mechanical revision, this historic horn has been fully restored to its former glory and now plays very nicely.