Bassoon in C (21 Keys, German System)
Catalogue number: 5.6
Original name: Bassoon in C.
Type or system: 21 keys, German system.
Maker: Oscar Adler & Co.
Place of origin: Germany, early 20th century.
Serial number: 1195.
Overall size: 1332mm.
Technical description: bell: 356mm; long joint: 569mm; wing joint: 488mm; boot: 407mm; silver plated keys.
German silver boot. Linked B, C and D keys. C sharp and harmonic 1 key linked to. Wing joint and boot lined with ebonite.
| 
 Key work and finger holes.  | ||
| 
 Left hand thumb:  | 
 B flat, B, C, D, harm 1, harm 2, C sharp, crook.  | |
| 
 Left hand, first finger:  | 
 T.  | |
| 
 Left hand, second finger:  | 
 T.  | |
| 
 Left hand, third finger:  | 
 T, Ring giving high B and C.  | |
| 
 Left hand, fourth finger:  | 
 E flat, low C sharp.  | |
| 
 Right hand, thumb:  | 
 B flat, low E, F sharp, A flat. td>  | 
|
| 
 Right hand, first finger:  | 
 T, C sharp trill  | |
| 
 Right hand, second finger:  | 
 T, Ring giving high G.  | |
| 
 Right hand, third finger:  | 
 Alt. B flat, G.  | 
 
  | 
| 
 Right hand, fourth finger:  | 
 F, F sharp, A flat.  | 
Inscription: Stamped on bell: “OSCAR ADLER & Co. / MARKNEUKIRCHEN S / JOSEPH HIGHAM / MANCHESTER / SOLE AGENTS / FOR GREAT BRITAIN”; stamped on long joint “JOSEPH HIGHAM / MANCHESTER / SOLE AGENTS / FOR GREAT BRITAIN”; stamped on boot joint: “1195”.
Faults: Silver plating on some key touches are worn. German silver is oxidising.
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 440 Hz.
Illustration references: See below.
Previous owner: Purchased second-hand in 1954 for £130.