Museum Number - FH021

Maker - F. Besson

Model - 2 Valves and 5 Crooks

Date of Manufacture - 1850's

ID # - none

Surface - raw brass

Markings - F. Besson, 198 Euston Rd London, 7 Rue des 5 Couronnes, Paris

Historical Detail - During the mid 1800 most french horn parts were played as a natural horn. The two valves were used only in notes not playable as a natural horn. The use of natural horn playing was used well into the early 20th century in France.

Established by Gustave Auguste Besson 1837 and was fined for patent problems with A. Sax during the mid 1800's. Opened a factory during the 1850s After his death in 1874 his widow and then daughter Martha took over the business in 1874. In 1894 had a workforce of 145 and made up to 50,000 instruments by this time.