What sort of flute is this?

Irish Flute
1

I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I’m hoping to post a larger pic soon that shows the hole to be almost exactly the same size.
http://www.p4aantiquesreference.com/search/itemdetail.asp?itemID=D9730913

2

I wonder if there’s some sort of spam about these rather ordinary fifes being tossed around, given that I’ve just received a similar question via email.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fife_(musical_instrument)

3

Hi Dom. It looks like a pretty standard fife of the kind sometimes called ‘colonial’, the kind of thing famously made by e.g. Cloos, Crosby etc. in the US but modelled on ones in use in C18th Brit/Euro armies. Plenty of old threads here and stuff elsewhere on the net. I probably have some useful links but no access to them now - will see what I can post tomorrow. These were at least originally true fifes with narrow cylinder bores and uniform tone-holes.

4

Friends went to Williamsburg, VA and brought me back a fife that they sell there that looks likes this only with pitiful craftsmanship. This instrument was pitiful. I misplaced it at least 6 months ago and haven’t even bothered looking for it.

5

OK, here we go - a link I have in my bookmarks. http://www.dillonmusic.com/historic_fifes/historic_fifes.html.
I’m sure I’ve read some more extensive stuff at some point, but can’t just now recall where… may have been on makers’ websites? Might be worth using the forum search facility here, and/or just Googling “fife” - afraid I’ve no time to hunt more just now, but I know it’s out there. For a start, I know I have read somewhere a fairly full technical historical discussion of the evolution of the modern American fife and the place and role of various firms in that. Angus Fifes in N. Ireland make similar things - again, old threads about them and the Ulster lambeg/fife tradition.

Hope that helps!

6

Here’s a current eBay offer for a nice banana… I mean, a British example of a true fife - probably early C19th, I’d say, though if any Langwill owner can check up on Beckett???

Here also is another current eBay auction for a typical Cloos/Crosby “Colonial” version.

Oh yes, and this link quoted by the US vendor is one of the things I’ve perused before but couldn’t off-hand find the link for when making my previous post (there’s at least one other…).

7

Langwill’s entry for Beckett:

Beckett, John WWI fl London 1850-1873
Earlier worked for Wood & Ivy

MARK: (as seen on the detailed pic of the banana)
Beckett (cursive) / FROM / Wood & Ivy (cursive) / London

ADDRESS: 1850-1873: 37 Green St., Bethnal Green