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F. Besson ”Exigu” Bb • London • no. 23625 • 1885
Just in, this is the rare Besson “Exigu” which was the smallest of the Besson pocket cornets. While evidently intended to play in Bb (high pitch), the valve slides are “C” length, and must be pulled appropriately to play in Bb. While it’s possible it had a “C attachment” originally, there is no evidence of this in the case.
This cornet is serial 23625. Amazingly, no. 23624, another Exigu, survives in the Fiske Museum.
The rare original “slimline” case has a metal plate which reads:
G.G.W.
1885
NEW YORK
Note that the case is designed to hold the cornet assembled with shank and mouthpiece.
The cornet features tasteful decorative engaving on nearly all surfaces, and is silver plated with gold trim. Since these photos were taken, I’ve gone over it in my shop and it looks even better. New shots will be posted soon.
Length (shank removed): 7.25”
Bell Diameter: 2.875”
Bore: .473
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