Myrtle's cook

Your instrument appears to be a 'flutina' and a member of the wider family to which concertinas belong. The letters/numbers in the photos are unlikely to be makers' initials and are more likely to be batch or component numbers, aiding the assembly/reassembly of the instrument. I wonder if those on the first photo stand for something along the lines of 'type 2 reed pan with notes range G - e'??? Flutina's do not appear to be as regularly signed/labelled by their makers as concertinas. I have a rather larger version, with lots of inlay and use of mother of pearl, but which is completely unsigned, with only a retailer's label in its original wooden box. I understand the majority were made in Frmance and exported widely, with Busson the primary manufacturer. Others here will be far more knowledgeable on this subject, but I hope this helps start things off. I recall there are a couple of recordings of flutinas on Youtube - which are worth checking out in terms of background.

The owner says it is stamped with the number 147189 inside which would be consistent with the numbering for Lachenal Anglos - albeit an exceptionally large custom example.

Hi Fusty There's a wealth of information on another site, dediated to Crane/Triumph system instruments. http://www.craneconcertina.com/index.html You'll see in the gallery section a brigade of Lachenal instruments, the latest numbered 4934 - suggesting your instrument is nearer to the end of Lachenal's production (and existence). If I recall correctly, Lachenal Crane and Maccann duets have their own numbering system, separate from the sequences for their Anglos and English concertinas. One forumula for dating the duets is as follows: For the Duet system: (serial number divided by 111 ) + 1873 (from Concertina.info website; there may be more recent improvements to this numbering formula(?). Happy squeezing!

Rikki Many thanks, that's appreciated.

Has any one on the forum got one of these they might be thinking of selling? I would expect such an instrument to have most likely been for band use and have fewer keys than usually encountered. To avoid any confusion, I am not looking for a standard tenor/tenor treble (I have these already). Please PM me if you might have such a box you'd be willing to sell. Thanks for looking.

Hi Wolf You are not missing the point - I was unaware that Peli-Storm cases now come with this sort of modular foam insert - I was asuming it was from an additional source. My last Peli-Storm case - c.10(+) years ago - came with rather more basic foam.

Thanks Wolf - yes, I have fitted out a Peli/Storm case in the way you describe. I was specifically interested in the particular modular foam being used here and the detailed contouring it permits (with a couple of other case lining projects in mind!).

Hi JD The linings look particularly good. Is the apparently modular ?foam you are using to create a tailored fit for instruments a product that is readily available to buy? Also, is it self adhesive or are you using a glue (what sort?) to stick the constructed blokcing together? Many thanks

I do not have any interest in this sale either as vendor or agent - just the curiosity of an EC player 'looking over the fence' - but thought it might be of interest to forum members. The box is labelled as C Morris Handley, but looks Lachenal-esque(?) and is 13cm in diameter - according to the auctioneers. https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/peter-wilson/catalogue-id-srpet10195/lot-a01cf84d-1b4d-473a-aec0-aa2600ab95e7

If memory serves me correctly Chris Algar (Barleycorn concertinas) had an ebony ended example of similar period for sale recently for £4250, it sold quickly suggesting demand is there.

I recall him saying (at a concert) that it was indeed a baritone treble, although several of the keys/reeds have been altered to more easily facilitate a drone effect. He does play it incredibly well - these are relatively heavy, bulky instruments to wrangle if one is more used to a treble/tt.

In terms of the label - if the box is a Lachenal it might well be a dealer's label, further obscuring origin (and indeed on some Jones's). Sorry that's not of much help!

A few thoughts from an EC player... I have two instruments which have non steel reeds - a Wheatstone Baritone with brass reeds from 1860s and apparently quite 'high end', and a Scates labelled (probably George Case made) amboyna treble with silver nickel reeds. - there are different standards of brass etc reeds (just as with steel). The best wheatstone brass reeds are robust, have good dynamic range and volume, need relatively little air, speak quickly and do not seem to readily go out of tune. The cheapest (e.g. basic lachenal models) seem to have far less dynamic range, be slow to speak and need quite a lot of air. I understand such reeds are a little more prone to fracture - I purchased the two concertinas above because I loved their mellow sound which combines with good reponse and dynamic range to provide a very satisfying playing experience . I use them for song. Both would struggle to be heard in a good session - perhaps a plus if you want to develop confidence, but less so if you want to really get 'stuck in'. - Brass/non-steel reeds can play any sort of music, just as well as steel reeds. However, if you are used to listening to Irish tunes played on growling Jeffries anglos then the tone of the brass reeds will be different and might take a little mental adjustment (a little less 'bark and bite' to use a phrase a Jeffries owning friend describes some of his accompaniment style). -With good reeds (and mechanism - which is part of the speed equation) high speed is possible if the fingers are willing and coordinate! If you are considering buying from Chris Algar ('and other dealers are available', including those who regularly contribute to this forum) you may well be able to get the instrument on approval and if it doesn't meet your expectations return it - as long as it is in the same condition. Good luck - we all started somewhere - my first instrument, which I still love, is in fact technically pretty poor - but it got me playing and gave an enormous amount of pleasure.

The serial number would suggest this is a Lachenal. Wheatstones with 55### onward, including 55870, are anglos. Still, potentially a good starter instrument for someone - it looks in decent condition and the non original thumb straps look quite recent replacements suggesting it has been loved or at least well cared for. Good luck with the sale.

In addition to Geoff's suggestion, you might also want to check out the Concertina Museum Collection (part of Neil Wayne's collection acquired by the Horniman Museum), the title page for the Rock Chidley instruments should be found at this link: http://concertinamuseum.com/SiteS4d.htm and contains a helpful overview of Chidley and his concertinas, the pages that follow detail individual Chidley concertinas in the collection.