JOHN F. STRATTON Eb Soprano Cornet c. 1885, Nickel Plate - Historical Player!

Description

JOHN F. STRATTON Eb Soprano Cornet
c. 1885, Nickel Plate
Good Playing Shape
This is a classic E-flat soprano cornet and a good playing piece of history. This is the only example of this specific instrument I have ever seen or been able to find. (You will find it as the example on Horn-u-Copia.)  Lacking a serial number, I have dated it to about 1885 based on comparable models of known age by Boosey, Distin, and Slater. The dropping lead pipe is an uncommon shape that was only produced by a handful of manufacturers, with Boosey probably first manufacturing it in around 1874, and everyone moving on to other models after 1895.
John F. Stratton was active in brass instrument manufacturing in New York City from 1859 until his death in 1912. So he'd been making brass for around 25 years already when he made this one, near the center of his career. He was a contemporary of Moses Slater and Henry Distin, both also prominent New York brass instrument manufacturers. And both made soprano cornets of this shape - so I'm guessing there was a lot of copying or sharing going on.  These other makers' models give a clue as to the shape of the missing pinky ring, which would have risen up from the downward curve of the leadpipe (There is some solder remaining in this location) up to a little hoop at the height one would need it.
Overall, this instrument is fully functional with everything moving that is supposed to, and nothing moves that isn't.  The valves are remarkably tight for one as well-used as it evidently is, judging by how thin the nickel plating is and all the little dings and dents it has picked up along the way. I have two Eb sops and this one plays darker than the other, perhaps due in part to the thicker gauge of the brass tubing.
Features
Keyed in E-flat, low (modern) pitch
Small bore (.425")
Polished nickel finish (what is left of it)
Plain mushroom-top finger buttons
Size: 12-1/4" long, 4-3/8" bell diameter
Sale Includes
Stratton Eb Cornet, no serial, c.
1885
There is no case, no mouthpiece and no other accessories. (Mouthpiece shown in the first slide is for illustration purposes only.)
Condition (also see photos)
Brass is intact for the most part. Apparently there was some of the (not unusual) rot at the leadpipe about 1-1/2 inches from the end, which had broken and then was  repaired by using an internal sleeve. Not knowing what it played like before the addition of the sleeve, I can say it plays fine now, with no noticeable intonation or timbre problems other than those typical of soprano cornets. No other serious corrosion was found. There is a small patch of nickel silver repairing a split on the underside of the leadpipe, just in back of the tuning slide brace. The soldering is a little messy there, but it's in an inconspicuous location.
Finish is VERY worn. To me it looks about half raw brass and half nickel plated. What is left of the nickel plating is thin in most spots. But on the upside, it LOOKS like a 135 year old instrument, if that's what you are looking for.
All slides move freely. The second valve crook looks to be a permanent fixture, not a slide, and does not remove.
The valves are responsive and hold very good compression despite their age.  Slides 1 and 3 pop when removed, and leakage is minimal when plugging the third valve slide and blowing. I give it an 8.5 out of 10.  Corks and felts are all new. Valve top (upstroke) corks are modern synthetic and very quiet. Downstroke corks are home-made, since you can't buy them any more.
Dents of note: 1/4 inch long dent on side of the leadpipe between valves 1 and 2. Three dents on the back of the bell crook, each less than 1/16" deep.  Some wrinkling and irregularity around the edge of the bell where it was damaged and repaired. Other than that, little dings throughout as one would expect of a well used instrument of this age.
All parts are original (other than repair sleeve and patch). Missing parts include the pinky ring, mentioned above, and the third valve slide pull nub.
Shipping / Returns
I will accept return of this instrument, postage paid back to me, if you are not satisfied that it is as described. Shipped USPS parcel select ground unless other arrangements are made.
About the Seller
I am not a professional musician, but have played the trumpet/cornet since 4th Grade. So I know my way around a cornet and enjoy studying their history and evolution, in addition to playing them. I hope part of what I bring to the table is a knowledgeable and critical eye to evaluating what I'm selling since you can't look at it personally. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about this sale or would like a closer look at anything I can photograph.