Geo. Rudall / Willis Fecit Cocus & Silver 8-Key (Long F Added Later)

This cocuswood flute bears the stamp "GEO. RUDALL / 5 CLEMENTS.INN / LONDON" with an additional stamp on the foot reading "GEO: RUDALL / WILLIS / FECIT". The head joint incorporates a tuning slide and exhibits a hairline crack running through its length both under and over the embouchure, and silver rings band the instrument. Eight keys are mounted on wooden blocks lined with silver, with the exception of the long F key, which appears to be a replacement featuring a pinned metal block and guide rather than the original wooden block construction. The Eb, C#, and C keys feature square strike plates. Sound length measures 58.5 cm with an overall length of 67 cm, and the wooden case accompanying the instrument is not original. The flute is dated to approximately 1820.