Schmidt French horn
Double horn, piston thumb valve, no serial number. I'm told it's a pre-war instrument. Bell is stamped: "CF Schmidt WEIMAR früher BERLIN" It is in an old King case with: Crook (Bb?) music lyre (horn has no bracket holder) 3 mouthpieces VINCENT BACH 7S VINCENT BACK CORP 11 Schilke 30B Horn has some worn lacquer sections (inside bell, outer tube). The rest is shiny and clear. Minor dings and ripples. Plays well, mechanically sound.
unknown
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Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry. Based on the photographs and description provided, the subject of this appraisal is a C.F. Schmidt & Company French Horn circa approximately 1920s in Germany with a King case and three mouthpieces (a Vincent Bach 7s and 11, and a Schilke 30B). The piece features no serial number.
According to the current owner, the horn has some worn lacquer sections along the inside bell and outer tube, with minor dings and ripples. The owner states it plays well and is mechanically sound.
For a history of C.F. Schmidt horns, http://www.rjmartz.com/horns/schmidt/cfschmidt.html offers a nice write-up.
The following form auction records of C.F. Schmidt horns: a single horn in similar condition sold at Saco River Auction in June 2018 for $50, and a rougher condition single horn sold via Heritage Auctions in 2011 for approximately $100. As neither were double horns, looking for similar pieces on the secondary market must form the price basis of this appraisal. While Schmidt double French Horns in excellent condition top out at about $4,000 on the resale market, similar used condition pieces to this can be acquired in the $1,000 range.
In consideration of the factors noted, a Fair Market Value (pre-auction estimate) of this piece would be estimated at $1,100 to $1,200 with the additional mouthpieces included in the collection.
