Skip to main content
Cornet, B-flat (bell front, upright, over-the-shoulder)
Cornet, B-flat (bell front, upright, over-the-shoulder)
Cornet, B-flat (bell front, upright, over-the-shoulder)

Cornet, B-flat (bell front, upright, over-the-shoulder)

Date1988
Place MadeNorth Hollywood, California, United States, North America
Serial No.204
SignedEngraved on all three bells: Made by / R. STEWARTMarkingsStamped on valve caps, rotors and underside of touch pieces: “1”, “2”, and “3” Stamped on first valve case: 204DescriptionCopper body and bells, brass trimmings and valve parts. Three alternative bells for bell front, upright, and over-the-shoulder configuration. Tuning slide formed by small tilted loop after valve section; fixed leadpipe; three top-action string-operated rotary valves, horseshoe stop, spiral-spring return.

The instrument is an interesting compilation of all three types of cornets common during the Civil-War-era: bell front, over-the-shoulder, and bell upright.
DimensionsHeight: 380 mm, 731 mm, 515 mm
Tube length: 1102 mm (with all three bells)
Bore diameter (initial, minimum, tuning slide, valve slides): 10.2 mm, 9.2 mm, 12 mm, 11.6 mm
Bell diameter: 115 mm
ProvenancePurchased in 1988 from Robb Stewart, North Hollywood, California.
Published ReferencesKlaus, Sabine Katharina. Trumpets and Other High Brass: A History Inspired by the Joe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection. Volume 3: Valves Evolve (Vermillion, SD: National Music Museum, 2017), p. 311.

“An Interview with Instrument Maker and Restorer Robb Stewart,” Website of the Historic Brass Society, (http://www.historicbrass.org/Interviews/tabid/167/TheStacks/InterviewsContents/Interviews2006/RobbStewartInterview/tabid/210/Default.aspx)
Credit LineJoe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection, 1999
Object number06938
On View
Not on view
Circular cornet, E-flat
Robb Stewart
1986
Trumpet with two bells, B-flat
F. E. Olds & Co.
1971 and 1990
Over-the-shoulder bugle, E-flat
Elbridge G. Wright
1853 ca.
Over-the-shoulder cornet, E-flat
Elbridge G. Wright & Company
1864-1871 ca.
We use cookies to ensure we give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to use this site or by closing or clicking "I agree", you agree to the use of cookies. I agree