Duty bugle in Bb

Description

Double coiled duty bugle made of copper with brass trimmings (rim, bow guard, ferrules, mouthpiece receiver, chain loop brace). Single line seamed tubing (bell including) with a couple of tabs on the lower yard. Brass mouthpiece chained to the instrument made by Henry Potter. Nominal pitch: 4 1/2-ft Bb. The instrument bears an official Ordnance stamp from the War Department, plus the number 50 (inspection?). The numbers stamped on the garland suggest the date of 18 May 1897, probably indicating when this instrument was assigned to duty. This bugle was purchased in October 1969 at the auction house of Wallis & Wallis (Lewes) and was donated to the museum by the former curator Major R.G.L. Rivis.