Double Flageolet in D

Catalogue Number: 1.2

Original name: Double flageolet in D.

Common name: Octave double flageolet or Octave flageolet.

Type or system: 5 Keys.

Maker: Bainbridge & Wood.

Place of origin: London, c.1808-1820.

William Bainbridge (d c.1831), was the inventor of the double flageolet, and patented his model in 1803. He was partnered by John Wood in 1808.

Overall size: 365mm without beak mouthpiece, 193mm each of lower joints.

Bore: Wind cap: 7.8mm - 34mm; head joint: lips - 34.5mm av. for both pipes; left hand pipe: 11mm - 7mm; right hand pipe: 11.2 - 7.1mm.

Sounding length: 273mm.

Diameter of beak receiver: 7.8mm.

Technical description: Boxwood in four pieces with ivory ferrules and studs. Body: Two pipes, head joint and wind cap. (ivory beak mouthpiece missing).
Five silver keys with square flaps (flap design F ) mounted on raised blocks and rings with spring attached by rivets to the underside of the key.
Two silver cutters mounted on raised blocks (springs hidden from view).

Inscription: Stamped on Wind cap: “BAINBRIDGE / INVENTOR / HOLBORN / HILL / LONDON / PATENT”; Stamped on Head joint: (crown motif) / “BAINBRIDGE / & WOOD / 35 / HOLBORN / HILL / LONDON / PATENT” and next to right hand pipe cutter shank: [motif: cross]; stamped above left hand thumb key: “D”; stamped next to each finger hole on left hand pipe: “B1”, “A2”, “G3”, “F4 / PATENT”, “E5”, “D6”; stamped above right hand thumb key: “B”; stamped next to each finger hole on right hand pipe: “B1”, “A2”, “G3”, “F4 / PATENT”, “E5”, “D6”.

Faults: One crack on left hand pipe at the top of the joint.

General literature: The double flageolet - made in England.

Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 440 Hz.

Performance characteristics: Keys stiff and some pads leaking but otherwise playable.

Specific references: New Langwill Index, pp. 16-17.

Illustration references: See below

Previous owner: Mr E. S. Fry. Donated to Birmingham School of Music, October 1923.

Previous collection numbers: A and B: Item 14.

Gallery of Images