Details on EBay (and the instrument exchange)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/English-cocus-8-key-flute-c1850-/330922260687
I was was asked for a sound clip of the flute. Unfortunately, I’ve been laid up with a head cold and haven’t played for a few days but here’s a quick shot (promise I’ll disinfect after 
.
Tuning slide is at 7mm, flute not fully warmed up, I normally have it at 8-10mm. Strictly first take, warts and all, to avoid any misleading edits or window dressing. A few long notes for illustration, broadly in tune to D in three octaves. I think I’m a bit weak in lipping the long E and A, bit of a jig at the end just to put the D in context. Percussion backing is courtesy of the kitchen staff.
Goes without saying that while Hammy, Cotter and co. may build flutes from the big D nowadays that wasn’t the case in the 1850s, much more built for the second octave sound. Still, it works fine throughout and it will hit a hard D in a reel if you focus and push it.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3rf5zhfma4jwgor/English8keysample.mp3
PS. Forgot to mention the original diagnostic discussion thread on this flute before restoration, lots more detail there if it’s of interest to anyone
http://forums.chiffandfipple.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=69320&hilit=Metzler&start=0
Just to confirm that I’ve contacted the bidder with zero feedback, who appears to be a real person (in the USA) and has no connection to me.
Jeez you should have got at least in the 400-500 range.
lol, as long as someone’s happy. I’ve another nice one to restore, might put a reserve on that
Wow…that was a bargain!
Eric
Yeah, for that money I would have bought it even in unrestored conditions, if I wasn’t broke of course…
I’m not exactly broke, but my wife would have beaten me near death had I bought it…we’re right in the middle of selling our house and buying a new one (well, new is relative, it’s from 1870). In retrospect, maybe I should have risked it? House from 1870, flute from nearly the same period…seems like it was almost preordained.
Eric