Keyed bugle – METZLER & SON

Brasswind

This is an extraordinary six-keyed bugle by METZLER & SON. The company METZLER was founded in 1788 by Valentin METZLER (c.1756-1832). His son, George Richard (1797-1867), joined the business in 1816 and the name changed to Metzler & Son.  Valentin died in 1832, so in 1833, the firm’s name changed to Metzler & Co. We can therefore date this instrument to 1816-1833.

This keyed bugle is crafted in copper, giving it a somewhat dark sound. It features brass mounts, keys and garland. Inscribed on the garland is ‘Metzler & Son’. The leather pads appear to have been renewed. The brass pigtail crook and mouthpiece seem not to be original to the instrument. The nominal pitch is C.

All in all, a fabulous instrument in great condition!

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G-sharp key

Open/closed G-sharp key
The open G-sharp key was promoted by Theobald Boehm. So, G-sharp is fingered like a G on the modern-day flute and G is fingered like the modern-day G-sharp. The open G-sharp key mechanism avoids having an additional second G-sharp tone hole, which is not optimal in acoustical terms.
The closed G-sharp key is the regular mechanism on modern day instruments as well as traditional conical wooden more-keyed flutes. G-sharp is obtained by pressing the G-sharp lever. G is produced by pressing down all four fingers of the left hand.
Theobald Boehm’s open G-sharp was not successful in the end and is no longer used in flute-making, with some exceptions.