West Point Import - Melofon, in F, piston - - Horn - Unknown - 1950

An antique mellophone in the shape of a horn. This is a rare piston-valved example, with the engraving “West Point Import” along with a leaf motif and geometric shields, a historic trademark used in the first half of the 20th century (most often in the 1920s–50s). The instrument is in F key and produces a proper tone; the valve action is very good, while the slides are immobile, seized with age.
• “Import” means that the instrument was manufactured in Europe and then imported to the American market by one of the large musical distributors.
• In those times, American distributors mass-ordered instruments from renowned European artisans from brass instrument production centers—primarily Bohemia (Kraslice/Graslitz), Germany (Markneukirchen), or France. These instruments were then branded with catchy American trade names (so-called stencil brands), referring to military tradition or well-known places. Due to the excellent engraving workmanship and traditional construction, the most probable manufacturers of this specimen were the legendary Bohland & Fuchs or V.F. Červený operating in the former Austro-Hungarian/Czechoslovakia.
Stencil-type instruments from this period are characterized by very thick, solid brass and a beautiful, deep tone. The set includes the original case and mouthpiece. Courier shipping."