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Antique 5-Key Eb Flute (Transposing Db)-Pfaff-Made 1860's-Restored-w/Case-Sweet!

$ 419.76

Availability: 79 in stock
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany
  • Exact Year: c.1860
  • Brand: Pfaff
  • Headjoint Material: Wood
  • Type: 5 Key
  • Body Material: Wood
  • Riser Material: Wood
  • Condition: Various scratches and scuffs. No chips. No cracks.

    Description

    Restored
    Antique 5-Key Flute
    in Eb
    (Concert key of Db)
    by Pfaff
    Cocus Wood with Nickel Keys and Rings
    Made Mid 1800's
    Fantastic Player
    Sweet Tone
    Pitch A=466 or Half Step Sharp
    Great for Irish Music
    Offered is a beautiful 5-key Eb flute (transposing key of Db) with 3 joints. Stamped Pfaff on all joints as well as K. Lautern (abbreviation for Kaiserslautern) on the body. The Pfaff family made flutes in Germany and America in the mid to late 1800's. It's not clear exactly which of the Pfaff's made this flute. The name itself has a star above and below the name. That might be a clue. The emouchure and tone holes are medium to large which gives another clue that it's probably dating from the later 1800's. This is a summary of what I found in the New Langwill Index:
    1. "Pfaff Brothers Instr. Makers. New York 1857-1892 comprising of Christian Frederick and Christian Carl"
    2. "Pfaff Family Kaiserslautern, Philadelphia"
    "Johanffnes, and his 3 sons Franz, Georg Michael, John suppliers of WI Westpfalzer Wandermusikanten."
    3. "
    Johannes Pfaff, Kaiserslautern, woodturner and WI maker died 1829 leaving 7 sons."
    4.  "Franz Pfaff b.1815 d.1895 WWI Kaiserslautern fl1844-1896
    Mark: F.Pfaff Kaiserslautern"
    5. "Georg Michael Pfaff 1823-1893 WWI Kaiserslautern 1844-1896 In 1862 invented the first sewing machine, ceased activity as WWI maker to devote himself to sewing machines."
    6. "Johann (John) Pfaff 1816-1887 WWI maker immigrated to Baltimore 1843 relocated to Philadelphia. Mark: J.Pfaff/BALTIMORE, J.Pfaff/PHILA"
    7. "Jacob Pfaff WWI Philadelphia 1839-1842 listed as instrument maker."
    This lovely flute appears to be made of cocus wood and has nickel keys and rings. Sounding length 20 1/4" or  514 mm and plays with a clear vibrant tone. The pitch centers around A=440 which can be adjusted slightly by moving the head cork.
    The condition of the wood is excellent and no marks or damage anywhere. This lovely instrument has just been completely rerstored to "like new condition". Leather kid skin pads were used as well as all new corks.
    Perfect for Irish or traditional music. Included is a beautiful wooden box in great condition. I'll also include a cloth, cork grease and cleaning stick.
    If you play traditional music it's always great to have an Eb flute around to play more easily in the flat keys.
    Rare flute for player or collector.
    Thanks for looking and feel free to contact us if you have questions.