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Boosey & Co. • no. 85331 (valves) 111248 (bell)
c1920’s (basis instrument), fabrication date unknown
This is a one-off conversion of a conventional trumpet into a pocket cornet of original design configuration – what I refer to as a “fabrication.” Just one challenge of such an undertaking is the rebending of the conventional trumpet bell into a short length. While not at all common, I question their value other than as a novelty item, since the instrument plays very poorly. The instrument was obtained from Australia, and the history is that a craftsman of varied talents created it, although it is unknown for what purpose (collector, movie prop, fraud). While the quality of the work is certainly not factory-level, and the playability poor, the main feature of the design, where the tubing wraps around the valve cluster, is unique to pocket designs I have seen, and very interesting.
Length (shank removed): 8.5”
Bell Diameter: 4.675”
Bore: .440
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