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Aine & Co. (Gautrot) • 1890s
This pocket cornet was unquestionably made by the prolific French company Gautrot, but is marked “Aine & Co.” and imported/sold by the Toronto dealership Claxton. This model was sold under many other names in addition to Gautrot, including Jaubert, Lyon & Healy, and J.W. Pepper.
Gautrot was eventually absorbed by Couesnon, although it is not clear how long Couesnon continued to market cornets with the Gautrot name.
In my experience, it is probably the most common of the true vintage pocket cornets.
It is presently undergoing restoration in my shop. The final two photos show it in its disassembled state. While I have seen several examples of the Gautrot pocket, I believe this is the first I have examined that was built to Low Pitch. Due to previous repairs, it is not clear if this was the original configuration, or a subsequent modification.
Noteworthy is the presence of the original (if shabby) coffin case, which are seldom seen (leather satchel cases seem to have been the norm based on period catalogs. This particular case is not usable. Rather than restore it, I intend to leave it “as found” and construct a close duplicate.
Length (shank removed): 8.625”
Bell Diameter: 3”
Bore: .455
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