Bruno Flute

[curiouscat1]

Hello

I was given an old Bruno Flute (metal - not wood), that has a serial # in the 200,000 range. It is quite run-down (a spring missing, needs major adjustments, and who knows what else - not playable right now), but I am curious if it has any value? I attempted to google-search Bruno Flutes, but could not find any real info (none for sale on eBay either). Could anyone provide info or a link to a website that has info.

Thanks

[pied_piper]

In the first half of the 1900s, it was common practice for large music stores, especially in the New York City area, to contract with one of the major musical instrument manufacturers and have them make a quantity of student-level instruments with the name of the music store stenciled on in place of the manufacturer's name. Such instruments are often referred to as "stencils". I own a Bruno soprano saxophone. By comparing it with other well-known brand saxophones of that era, I determined that it was actually manufactured by C. G. Conn, who was a big and well respected saxophone maker of that time. You might be able to do the same with your flute. It might have been manufactured by Conn, Artley, Armstrong, Gemeinhardt, or another big instrument maker of the early-to-mid 1900s. Stenciling didn't happen as much after about 1950, but now, Chinese instrument makers have resumed the practice and will put any name on instruments if you purchase some minimum quantity - Caveat Emptor...

It's doubtful that your flute has much value because it is probably a student-level flute, but you would really need to take it to a flute repair technician to have it inspected and evaluated. It's likely that the cost of restoring it to playing condition would exceed its worth.

[curiouscat1]

Great input! Thanks

[cflutist]

Fasinating info, thanks