Circa 1847 Fife, William Hall & Son

[JOHN42768]

A recent purchase I thought might be of interest. And no I don't know how to play it.

William Hall & Son Fife

Cir. 1847 (Similar to your Cat. #83)

Marked: William Hall & Son

239 Broadway

N York

O.A.L. : 16.75"

Wood: Rosewood ?

Key: B

Finger Holes: All about .247" with crisp sharp edges

Embouchure hole: .344" with crisp sharp edge. Center of hole is 2" from wood / ferrule joint

Dia. Of tube at embouchure: .836"

Ferrules: Brass tapered with single stake 180 degrees apart. Scribed 2-1-2 lines. On embouchure end 1.25" in length. Dia. .629" at end of tube and .696" toward hole. Finger end 1.50" in length. Dia. .607" at end of tube and .640" towards finger holes.

Finger hole spacing C/C: #1-2 is 1", #2-3 is .875", #3-4 is 1.125", #4-5 is 1",# 5-6 is 1" & #6 center to end of wood / ferrule joint is .875"

Finish: A few small dings and one carved / scratched initial "H". No indication of a cheater ever installed.

Purchased from Shiloh Civil War Relics, Savannah, Tn.

12/2/21

 

[Claude Bauer]

Nice find! Congratulations!

Interesting that it's described as being in the key of "B" instead of "Bb" which was and still is the most common.

BTW, they were called mouthpieces, not cheaters, and using one at the time apparently was commonplace, considering the number of pictures I've found of soldiers and veterans using fifes with them attached.

Looks like a beautiful instrument in great condition. Jealous!

 

[JOHN42768]

Nice find! Congratulations!

Interesting that it's described as being in the key of "B" instead of "Bb" which was and still is the most common.

BTW, they were called mouthpieces, not cheaters, and using one at the time apparently was commonplace, considering the number of pictures I've found of soldiers and veterans using fifes with them attached.

Looks like a beautiful instrument in great condition. Jealous!

Thanks for your comments. Does it appear to be rosewood to you?

 

[Claude Bauer]

Thanks for your comments. Does it appear to be rosewood to you?

Probably. I'm not a wood expert. I have some fifes--all are Bb. They are either black or brown.

 

[Woods-walker]

Thanks for your comments. Does it appear to be rosewood to you?

It does look like rosewood

 

[MRB1863]

Beautiful condition! Would never guess the age just by the photos.

 

[JOHN42768]

It does look like rosewood

Thanks for your opinion

 

[JOHN42768]

Beautiful condition! Would never guess the age just by the photos.

If I did not research it and find info about Wm. Hall I would have no idea either. The address dates it as he moved to different locations.