Nice old Fentum on E-bay just now - crack on back of head joint and cracked barrel. Buy it now 1.250 sterling= 1432 euros= 2037 downgraded US dollars:
Item number: 150639870861
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-wooden-Fentum-Flute-/150639870861?pt=UK_Woodwind_Instruments&hash=item2312d6038d
That’s right! Rub it in.
“That’s right! Rub it in.” Feadoggie.
When the going gets tough, the tough… 
Or I might happen to know where one might acquire a fully restored Fentum in possibly original case ready to play now with extra bottom D ‘oomph’ … maybe …
The funny thing is that that price doesn’t look outrageous to me. I say “funny” 'cos it’s Phil’s Historic Instruments, and his prices have been known to be on the high side, in my opinion.
ah, we just whine…
This same flute was for sale some time ago, at the price of 500 pounds, and went unsold.
Well, that leaves me wondering why? They’re good flutes, these Fentums.
Here’s the thread:
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/flutes-on-ebay-prowse-and-fentum/77269/1
Hi Benhall 1, could you tell me more about that Fentum in possibly original case? Is it a fentum 78 strand, or a J Fentum, or anything else? Photos? Materials? Quirks?
Downgraded US dollars? The whole [bleep]ing country is downgraded. Rightly so.
That flute looks totally [bleep]ed to me. I’d steer clear of it.
cf: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.402295064270.178444.605989270&type=1
Overhaul, repair and service of English C19th 8-key “Simple System” concert flute by
H Fentum (78 Strand, London), including:-
Removal of head-joint ferrule rings and liner tube, reduction and gluing of crack, re-fixing of rings and liner, restoration of surfaces and embouchure chimney/cut
Removal of barrel ferrule rings and liner tube for replacement (see below), fitting of replacement liner, re-fixing of rings
Sub-contracted work by Roger Price to make new barrel liner and repair head liner tube
Stabilisation of two cracks in upper body upper tenon by gluing, “v” filing and glue/dust filling inside the tube and gluing on first layer of lapping to support
Stabilisation of two cracks in upper body lower tenon by gluing, “v” filing and glue/dust filling inside the tube and gluing on first layer of lapping to support
Stabilisation of a crack in lower body upper socket by gluing, “v” filing and glue/dust filling inside the tube
Stabilisation of two cracks and repair of loose chip in lower body lower tenon by gluing, “v” filing and glue/dust filling inside the tube and gluing on first layer of lapping to support
Wood graft and shape to profile repair of long F key guide block
Re-profiling C key mount block to remove splinter-damage
Chip/dent in F# tone-hole edge and surface chip by G# tone-hole filled with wood-dust/glue and surfaces restored
Disassembly, cleaning, polishing and re-fitting of all other metal parts; cleaning of all wooden parts;
oiling of bore; exterior surface dressing with Renaissance Wax
Re-lapping 3 joint tenons with thread
Reworking of all 6 padded key key-beds to ensure seal
Re-padding 6 keys
Fitting new buffer corks to 7 keys
New synthetic stopper “cork” fitted
General adjustment and regulation of keys, cleaning and glue-repair of box
Thanks Jem. The only thing to add is that it plays amazingly easily throughout its whole (3 octave) range and has a really nice bottom D. (Oh, I think I might have mentioned that already.)
Oh that one! Right, very nice looking instrument.
That’s not the one now on Ebay, is it? Have I got egg on my face? Again?
Er … no. Y’re all right, David. Different flute.