Bb Cornet by Isaac Fiske in Worcester, Mass, circa 1855
Isaac Fiske is widely thought of as maker of the finest quality
brass instruments in the US in the mid-19th century. He is
best known today for his pushrod actuated rotary valves that
he called "key pistons" which he patented in 1866 and
applied to all sizes of his instruments. This circular Bb
cornet is quite rare today, but at the time was a popular
form. The original ambrotype below was taken in the 1850s
and shows a musician holding a Fiske Bb circular cornet and
a Grave 4 valve Bb bass in bell over the shoulder form but
with a mouthpipe for playing the instrument upright. Most
Fiske instruments existing today are of German silver making
this all brass example even more rare. For more Fiske
history see Robert E. Eliason's Early American Brass
Makers. The rotary valves with top action levers are .433"
bore and the bell diameter is 5". The mouthpipe shank and
mouthpiece are reproductions. It had been badly restored
many years ago, requiring much careful work to bring it back
to its original appearance.
brass instruments in the US in the mid-19th century. He is
best known today for his pushrod actuated rotary valves that
he called "key pistons" which he patented in 1866 and
applied to all sizes of his instruments. This circular Bb
cornet is quite rare today, but at the time was a popular
form. The original ambrotype below was taken in the 1850s
and shows a musician holding a Fiske Bb circular cornet and
a Grave 4 valve Bb bass in bell over the shoulder form but
with a mouthpipe for playing the instrument upright. Most
Fiske instruments existing today are of German silver making
this all brass example even more rare. For more Fiske
history see Robert E. Eliason's Early American Brass
Makers. The rotary valves with top action levers are .433"
bore and the bell diameter is 5". The mouthpipe shank and
mouthpiece are reproductions. It had been badly restored
many years ago, requiring much careful work to bring it back
to its original appearance.
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