Description

Duty bugle – HENRY KEAT & SONS

A duty bugle is a simple, valve-free brass signalling instrument with a conical bore used in military forces to communicate camp routines, daily schedules and battlefield orders. It usually features a narrow mouthpiece and a wide, rapidly widening conical tube without valves, keys or slides.

The Keat family’s instrument-making roots date back to the late 1700s in London. Henry Keat officially took control of the family business in 1856, and his sons later joined him. The company operated out of a famous workshop at 103–105 Matthias Road, Newington Green, London, from 1866 until World War II. They were an official contractor to the British War Department, churning out an incredible 50,000 Army bugles and tens of thousands of other horns from the Matthias Road location.

The B-flat duty bugle is made of brass with silver-plating. It comes with its original mouthpiece. Its condition is good with some minor dents – see photos.