George Rudall Cocus & Silver 8-Key

This cocuswood flute by George Rudall of London has eight block-mounted silver keys with flat circular covers and flat silver rings, though the ring at the end of the bottom joint is nickel silver. The head joint features a round embouchure hole with slight wear and is unlined without a tuning barrel; an ebony tuning cap was made by John Gallagher approximately 20 years ago, who also restored a crack in the head joint. A chip is missing at the bottom end of the tenon of the first joint, and old string wraps are supplemented with plumber's tape. Pads are felt. Sounding length measures 600 mm, with pitch at approximately A=460. The instrument remains in its original black leather covered fitted case, though the hinge has been replaced with tape and the swing hooks for the latches are missing. Dating to approximately 1820.