Flute just isn’t my passion, and I have this wonderful fully restored cocus 1857 Metzler 8-key flute that is languishing in my closet while I go off playing the Uilleann pipes and concertina.
I bought this flute about 4 years ago from Dave Migoya at Fyfer Restorations (it was his personal flute before the emphasis on Rudall). Dave had done the initial restoration on it, and I had further restoration done here in San Diego by a historical restoration specialist at The Windsmith. Dave also provided me with some historical documents that track back to the original owner in 1857, who’s name was engraved on the headjoint lip plate. Evidently, this was a presentation instrument.
Since the original headjoint was designed I think for the higher concert pitch of its era, I commissioned Hammy Hamilton to build a custom headjoint for it, matching the wood and trim, optimized for concert A440. The end result is a truly wonderful and responsive instrument.
Here’s a full set of photos of every aspect of the instrument:
Includes hard custom case, both the original engraved and custom Hamilton headjoint, plus historical paperwork. Recordings and other photos available on request.
I’m asking $3000 + insured shipping.
Please email if you have any questions on the instrument. If it sells through this board, I’ll make an appropriate donation to the site.
Cheers,
Michael Eskin eskin@cox.net
http:/www.michaeleskin.com
Since its a moderate size holed flute, the instrument isn’t the loudest one in the pack, but it does play very easily and is quite fluid across the octaves, as I’ve found with other flutes of the era. I don’t have extensive experience with vintage flutes, so perhaps Dave Migoya can give a comparison since he’s owned both this one and is an expert on Rudall-Rose instruments.
With the Hammy headjoint, the bottom octave really opens up, while the second octave is excellent, reminds me more of when I used to play a Hammy keyless, but not quite as loud.
Its a very forgiving flute with either headjoint, and I think has less air requirement than a Pratten design.
I’ve babied it the whole time I’ve had it, regularly oiled it with Dave’s recommended mix of cosmetic grade almond oil with a few drops of Vitamin E.
Please let me know if I can answer any other questions about the instrument.
How did Dave trace back the history to the original owner? and are you sure the history is correct? how do you know if it was’nt the third or fourth owner that had their name engraved on the lip plate?
That’s a fair question and I don’t have an answer. I have what Dave gave me and Dave’s a good guy. 1857 is about right for the instrument design and the documents are consistent. Sheesh.
I’m not in the market for a flute right now, but good luck on the sale and good luck to your wife’s horse. Hope he/she pulls through OK. Also, thanks for posting your Blarney Stone tunebook, it’s a really nice collection of tunes in settings that are similar to the ones I hear here in New Jersey.
Hi Michael!
I played the Metzler a couple of years ago, it is a very nice flute, especially with the new head joint.
Sorry to hear about your wifes horse., hope everything works out allright.
Take care,
Jon
We’ll know more in a couple of days. Amazingly, they had to remove 20 feet of colon, about 1/3 of the total, but they tell us that it shouldn’t be a problem, assuming no other complications.
Well, the news is not good, the horse went downhill fast last night and had to be put down this morning. Sad wife, dead horse, big vet bill. Such is life…