ORIGINAL FRENCH 1 KEY BOXWOOD FLUTE, HORN MOUNTS, 435 PITCH OR A BIT BELOW.

Description

WICHITA BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY 2525 East Douglas Avenue Wichita, KS 67211 Tel: (316) 684-0291; FAX (316) 684-6858
INTERESTING FRENCH BOXWOOD FLUTE, UNKNOWN MAKER, PRE 1850.
Interesting antique
French one-keyed boxwood flute, circa 1830 – 1840 (?) ,
square brass key, horn (not ivory) mounts.
Name is illegible, stamped lightly on the head joint.
Total length is 628 mm.
Sounding length is 545 mm.
Foot is 95mm;
lower center joint is 147 mm. upper center joint is 218 mm.
Plays well at 435 pitch, with the head pushed all the way in.
Embouchure appears to be original, measures 8.3 X 10.5.
Interesting flute that plays well, regret to say we cannot identify the maker.  Have a look at our photos, enlarge them and see  if you can make out the name.
*** BEFORE WE SEND ANYTHING TO YOU…
The instrument is carefully inspected by us to make certain it’s spotlessly clean. We disinfect the exterior of the instrument, spray the exterior of the case as well. We do not send anything to you without it’s being checked and then checked again.
*** A FEW WORDS ABOUT OUR SENDING “ON APPROVAL”…
We’ve had the same policy for half a century, are always happy to send almost anything for a short trial period. Five days is, we believe, sufficient for a trained musician to decide if the item sent them is a good match.
A small percentage of instrument we send out are returned to us. Sometimes it’s a money issue, more often it’s “…you might consider taking lessons.” But as we always say, “If you don’t buy, we’ll still be friends.
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We’ve had recent questions, though, about how we clean up returned approvals. You should know…
With recorders, clarinets, flutes, and oboes, we remove all the keywork, then give the bodies a quick bath. Soap and water, but not long enough to harm the finish. Keys are lightly sprayed with a disinfectant and pads are lightly swabbed with the same. Then, back in the case after a spray to the exterior and carrying handles of the case.
Not sure what the other shops are doing about this issue (I’ve asked and have had no replies), but we think our clean-up work is exactly what’s required to keep everybody safe.***
** In January of 2020 our small workshop in Wichita celebrated sixty-seven years in business. Over the decades, we’ve repaired and restored more than two hundred vintage French flutes from Louis Lot, Bonneville, Claude Rive and Buffet-Crampon plus hundreds of professional-quality flutes from Haynes and Powell. We employ sixteen highly skilled full-time workers and enjoy, we’re happy to report, a sterling reputation for top-quality restoration and ethical transactions. We are not amateurs, nor are we a “back bedroom” operation. We would be pleased to furnish you with references attesting to the above.
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Wichita Band Instrument Company is a small musical instrument emporium located in the center of the USA. We’ve been in business since 1953 and have had the same owner since 1963. Originally we were a repair shop that specialized in woodwind and sax restoration. Today we have 16 employees including six of the finest repair technicians in the country. Virtually ALL the items we sell have been fully reconditioned in our own shop, although we do sell a few unrestored historical instruments each year.
It’s sometimes possible to buy a vintage flute on Ebay for a lower price, but unless that instrument wears all new pads and corks from a reputable shop, you won’t know how it plays until you spend another several hundred to have it mechanically overhauled. With a used flute from OUR shop, you know it’s in the finest condition when it arrives at your home!
Wichita Band’s service warranty is the same as it’s been for more than thirty years:
“ALL new and all used instruments sold by Wichita Band Instrument Company come with our 24 month service warranty. It’s in addition to any factory guarantees. For two full years, we will repair or replace, whichever in our estimation is the more advisable, pads, corks, springs or other parts required, at no charge to the customer. The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance charges. Cases and plating finishes are not covered by our service warranty but are sometimes covered by factory guarantees.”
Wichita Band Instrument Company maintains a repair department capable of restoration work of the highest quality. Even though repairs are essentially “free” for the first two years, after that period has expired, we remain at your service to maintain and repair your musical equipment forever. It’s our “service after the sale” promise and has been since 1953!
In the event that a customer requires service under factory guarantees or Wichita Band’s service warranty, the item must be returned to us and not directly to the manufacturer.
Anything we sell can be sent to you for a short approval period without obligation.  The customer is responsible for shipping and insurance and must pre-pay back to us any freight and insurance charges on returned equipment.
International shipping is available. Returned items will be refunded within 2 weeks of receiving the item. We’re happy to send any instrument “on approval” for five days, but ask the prospective buyer to pay shipping both ways and to reimburse us for restocking and clean-up costs (2.95% on credit card transactions/no restocking fees on PayPal transactions) on any returned instrument.
Ebay authorized payment methods:
PayPal or credit/debit card processed through our internet merchant account.
Buyers outside of the USA are responsible for all import duties and customs clearance charges in their respective countries. We may refuse paypal and/or credit card payments from some countries.
We’re happy to respond to any and all questions about flutes and other musical instruments, but please don’t write and ask “What’s granny’s mellophone worth?”  We kindly recommend an Ebay search with which you’ll learn more than we’d ever be able to tell you.
Wichita Band Instrument Co.
800-835-3006 payment line (USA and Canada),
316-684-0291 outside the USA and Canada order line, and info line,