An extraordinary, museum-quality instrument. A true piece of British brass history, beautifully preserved in its classic vintage silver-plated finish. This authentic 1898 Besson & Co. Prototype Bb Cornet is a fully functional, studio-ready masterpiece with excellent acoustic projection and zero compression loss.

Manufactured at the famous 198 Euston Road workshop in London, England, this is a genuine "Class A" top-tier instrument carrying the legendary "50 Medals of Honour" inscription on the bell.

*I highly recommend listening to the provided audio sample to hear and appreciate the beautiful, authentic tone of this vintage Brevete for yourself.

Historical Inscriptions & Serial Verification:

Bell Engraving: "CLASSE / A / 50 MEDALS OF HONOUR" / FB Monogram / "BESSON & CO / Prototype / 198 EUSTON ROAD / LONDON"

Valve Casings: Stamped "34", "35" / "BESSON BREVETE" in ellipse (Note: there is no "36" on the third valve casing, as characteristic of this rare run).

Serial Number: 60896 (Authenticates manufacture to approximately 1898).

Mechanical & Acoustic Condition:

Compression & Seal: ABSOLUTE PERFECT. Meticulously tested, delivering massive volume, an immaculate focused tone, and instant response. Mechanical breath never lies—the late Victorian metal remains at 100% efficiency.

Valves & Slides: Smooth, light, and snappy action. Beautifully preserved over 120+ years. All tuning slides move freely. (Pistons were professionally copper-plated in its repair history to ensure this perfect seal).

THE ULTIMATE VINTAGE PLUG-and-PLAY PACKAGE:

The original leadpipe of this historic horn is absent. To turn this into a highly versatile, modern-ready studio weapon, this elite package includes:

Legendary Vincent Bach Corp. Mt. Vernon NY 7C Mouthpiece: A highly collectible, historical mouthpiece from the absolute golden era of Bach production (1950s/1960s). It features crisp inscriptions and stunning acoustic resonance.

Premium KGU Brass Adapter: Professionally fitted to replace the missing leadpipe. This allows you to instantly use the included Mt. Vernon mouthpiece (or any modern standard short/long shank mouthpiece) with a perfect air seal, without altering the horn's original pitch.