Thanks for the link in your last post - I hadn’t come across that source before, though I have been on Lark in The Morning’s website…
There are certainly some very nice looking flutes there and I’d say the prices are quite reasonable for retail sales. Within your budget, the Deposee French 8-key or several of the German flutes might make a good introduction to keyed simple system, though they probably wouldn’t ultimately be ideal ITM flutes - but of course without actually playing them you could not be sure of how they would speak or what their intonation would be like - nor can any of us advise you for sure. (I have some similar flutes awaiting attention, as I said before, but can’t say how good they may be or how I may price them pending getting them working…watch this space! ) At least buying from me or Jon C or people like us, you can get some reasonably reliable assessment of the playing qualities of particular examples of this kind of old instrument which you can’t get from shops you cannot visit. It might be worth contacting the Zeckley guy and asking for sound samples of one or two and whether he lets instruments out on approval.
As for finding your own antiques, I’d bet Rome has plenty of antique shops/markets and junk shops? Start by talking to owners of such places (not the very posh, expensive ones with just a few bits of fancy furniture and china), especially if they have any musical instruments at all on display. Tell them what interests you and ask if they ever see such things - show them pictures if you can. Probably junk/antique shops in small provincial towns are a better bet, though - if you can travel, get out into the hills!
As you live in the capital, there are bound to be some large specialist music stores - find the ones that sell big selections of flutes and try to talk to their flute salesperson - they may (don’t count on it) know their stuff on historic instruments and be able to guide you. Ones that specialise in period instruments if there are any such would also be useful. Even violin specialists are worth talking to as they get all sorts of things shown to them/get around the sales etc. (if they are anything like their British counterparts).
I’d presume Italy has its equivalent to Sothebys’ etc.? Find out where and when there are specialist instrument auctions and try to see catalogues or even view the lots on showing day. (You could even bid if you’re happy doing that, but find out the terms and conditions and watch and learn first!!!)
Do Italians have car-boot sales?
It is probably also worthwhile finding out what museums you may be able to visit that have musical instrument collections. Remember to check out educational institutions as well as public museums. They won’t sell you flutes, naturally, but you can get to look at and learn about them and find out what has been available in Italy over time.
I know all this sounds rather daunting, but it is an excellent way to learn even if you don’t end up finding a flute that way! Even if you go straight ahead with buying a flute from the present options, if you find the whole thing at all interesting, it could be useful in future. Who knows what you might find over the years? If you never look, you certainly won’t find anything!
Also remember, (EDIT: ah, yes, you mentioned this… 
) if you do buy an antique and find it doesn’t suit you, either straight away or later on, provided you didn’t get ripped off/make a silly mistake when you bought it, you should be able to sell it for no significant loss or even for a profit when you trade up to a better flute. (Much the same holds true for modern maker flutes too, of course, but you won’t get a keyed one at your price range.)
)… mutepointe i will spend most of my money only for a flute, dont worry 