Can we identify this Flugelhorn?

[hartleymartin]

Gloria Mullans, played by Tara Fitzgerald, plays her grandfather's Flugelhorn in the film "Brassed Off." Andy Barrel (played by Ewan McGregor) stares in disbelief that his childhood sweetheart has re-appeared.

I've been staring at both the lovely Tara and that Flugelhorn she is holding. I know I can't have Tara, but I would love to lay my hands on that Flugelhorn!

I would like to identify this make and model of Flugelhorn, because I would like to eventually acquire one. I suspect that it is a Boosey, Hawkes or Besson because another shot later in the same sequence shows several lines of stamped writing, which seems characteristic of these three makers.
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Martin Hartley

[Danbassin]

The bracing is a bit different, but a vintage Conn flugel (not a modern "Vintage One" but a real 'vintage' one!) one of our community members has had in the marketplace looks markedly similar:

https://www.trumpetherald.com/marketplace.php?task=detail&id=114721

I agree with your instincts that it may be a Boosey instrument. Turn-of-the-century Bessons had a distinct 1st valve slide which changed to the more standard vertical orientation some point closer to the 1930s-40s. They also kept/established more of the modern look of a flugel, as with Selmers and so-forth, while the instrument you've noticed has that distinct double shepherds crook style of the Conn being sold.

There were lots of ways to construct these things, but, of course, the most important is that the horn gets out of our way and helps us achieve that sound in our ears.

Happy practicing, happy hunting,

-DB
_________________
Daniel Bassin
Conductor/Composer/Trumpeter/Improviser/Educator
I play:
Monette - CORNETTE/PranaXLT-STC Bb/MC-35/Raja A Piccolo;
Kromat C-Piccolo; Thein G-Piccolo; Various antique horns
MPCs - Monette Unity 1-7D and DM4LD

[Louise Finch]

Hi

I'm in a hurry, but I'm sure that this has been discussed before and a search on google including trumpet herald in the search entry, will probably find the thread. I believe the thread contains not only the make of flugel horn shown in the film, but the player name and make/model of actual flugel played off screen.

All the best

Lou
_________________
Trumpets:
Yamaha 8335 Xeno II
Bach Strad 180ML/37
B&H Oxford
Kanstul F Besson C
Yamaha D and D/Eb
- James R New Custom 3Cs
Flugel:
Bach Strad 183 - Bach 3CFL
Cornets:
Yamaha Neo + Xeno
Bach Strad 184ML
B&H Imperial
- Kanstul Custom 3Cs

[LittleRusty]

[hartleymartin]

Thanks for the search suggestions. No clear confirmation, but I strongly suspect that it was only used as a "prop" and someone else played another instrument off-camera, probably a modern one too.

I started searching for "Hawkes & Son" and "Flugel" and I think I've found a photo which describes it as a 1922 model "Excelsior Sonorous"

https://archives.library.illinois.edu/archon/?p=digitallibrary/digitalcontent&id=9133
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Martin Hartley

[Don Herman rev2]

Look at the links Rusty posted for you.
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"After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music" - Aldous Huxley

[Louise Finch]

[hartleymartin]

Thanks to all who answered. I checked out the links and with a little further information, it appears to be a "Hawkes & Son Excelsior Sonorous Class A" circa 1920s era.

I do have a few reasons for wanting this model.
1.) I've loved the film "Brassed Off"
2.) It has the drop lead-pipe which I think would make it easier to play when standing/marching.
3.) I like vintage/unusual instruments. (My weekend gigs are as a church organist)

That said, an old Boosey & Co, Boosey & Hawkes or Besson would still be nice to have even if not in this configuration.
_________________
Martin Hartley

[delano]

There were a lot of instruments in that time with that 'drop leadpipe'.
I remember Mahillon, Millerau and some more Belgium stuff.
A little warning: they can play really bad and out of tune. Besides that, they are so old that you can expect nothing of the valves.