Title: Over-the-Shoulder Cornet

Maker: Kummer & Schetelich

Model: Presentation Model

Date: c. 1861-1865

Geography: Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Material: Solid Nickel

Serial Number: N/A

Accession Number: GL-102_A8-01

Provenance: Founding Greenleaf Donation from Conn Museum, 1969

Description

Key: E-flat, Soprano

Pitch: High (likely)

Finish: Solid Nickel

Lacquer: Modern

Engraving: The bell garland is engraved with the presentation text: “Presented to Lt J. K. Gore. / by the Members of the 6th Mich. Regtl Band.” The other side of the bell garland is stamped with “KUMMER & SCHETELICH [in arch] / BALTIMORE / MD.” No decorative engraving.

Mouthpiece: Currently uses a mouthpiece that is not original to the instrument, stamped “CONN - LLEWELLYN” and “S”.

Accessories: No

Case: No

Notes:

This horn has four top-action rotary valves, instead of the usual three. This fourth valve is a whole step ascending valve, which raises the pitch from E-flat to F. It would be used for more secure high notes, trills, and other alternate fingerings. The four rotary valves suggest that Kummer & Schetelich used some imported parts from Germany.
Adjustable tuner near mouthpiece.
This instrument has a wide bell and scholars might use the modern classification of “saxhorn”.
Below is an excerpt from the obituary of James K. Gore (to whom this instrument was presented) from the Elkhart Daily Review, Saturday, July 8, 1911 (accessed via the Elkhart County INGenWeb website).
- FIRST COMES TO ELKHART IN 1855
  Col. Gore, who was born in Dutchess County, NY, in 1837, was a son of Samuel C and Ruth Ketchum Gore. Two years later his family moved to Putnam County, NY, and remained there until 1855, Col. Gore, in the meantime, learning the pattern making trade at cold Springs opposite West Point. In 1855 the family came to Elkhart and five years later Col. Gore went to Mishawaka where he was employed in a furniture factory. In 1861, at the beginning of the Civil War, he enlisted with the Sixth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. As leader of the regimental band, going to Baltimore, then to Newport News, New Orleans, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge and finally again to New Orleans, where he was mustered out in 1862, the government having decided to dispense with brass bands in the army.
  Col. Gore returned to Mishawaka and engaged in the manufacture of chairs but at the expiration of thirteen months raised a company of volunteers and was commissioned its Captain. The company was assigned to the 138th Indiana, going out for 100 days but remaining five months, being engaged in the duty of guarding railroads in the rear of Gen. Sherman’s army in its march through Georgia to the sea.
  RETURNS HERE IN 1869
  In 1865 Col. Gore went to Fond du Lac, Wis., where he was employed as foreman of the Union Iron Works. In 1869, he returned to Elkhart, and embarked in the planing-mill and wood working business with john Vanderlip until 1873, when Henry C Wright bought Mr. Vanderlip’s interest and the firm of Gore & Wright was formed.
  Two years later, Frederick Wright bought H C Wright’s interest in the business, which suffered a serious loss by fire in 1874.
  Col. Gore served as Postmaster from 1890 to 1894, and following the election of Governor Mount was Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard, serving in that office during and following the Spanish American War. After retiring from that office he was in business in Indianapolis before returning to Elkhart.
  Prior to his elevation to the Office of Adjutant General, Col. Gore had been active in the Indiana National Guard, and was Colonel of the Third Regiment I. N. G., at the time Governor Matthews ordered that regiment to Roby to suppress prize-fighting.