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Flute.

Technical description: rosewood; 5 sections; silver keys; 6 chased silver ferrules; metal-lined head; tuning-slide; wooden cap; ivory screw-stopper with graduated silver tip; large, irregular circular embouchure-hole; large silver lip-plate set into wood; large finger-holes, especially for L2, R1 and R2; edges of finger-holes very rounded; overlapping low C/C♯ touches; narrow grooves turned on head and tuning section.; Nominal pitch: C.; Type or system: 7 keys (to C), `Nicholson's Improved'.; Keyhead type: saltspoon with leather pads; pewter plugs for low C/C?, with metal-lined key-holes.; Keymount type: ring/knob.; L0: @I{B♭.L1: @I{T.L2: @I{T.L3: @I{T.L4: @I{G♯.R1: @I{T; C.R2: @I{T.R3: @I{T; F.R4: @I{D♯; low C♯; low C.; Usable pitch: A₄ c|452|-|c|465|Hz (screw-stopper immovable with tip 'fully-out', pitch tested with head in corresponding `fully-in' position, and also pulled out 10mm, to give a pitch range).; Performance characteristics: [original range C₄|-|C₇]; speaks with difficulty below D₄ and above A₆ in present condition; plays with a strong sound throughout the remainder of the range (although intonation is erratic, possibly caused by the position of the cork); mechanism is in good condition and, despite their large size, the rounded finger-holes feel comfortable under the fingers.

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  • Inscriptions:Stamped "1349 / CLEMENTI & CO / LONDON / C.NICHOLSON'S / IMPROVED"; stamped on head "C.|NICHOLSON'S" below upper ferrule, and "IMPROVED" above lower ferrule.
  • Hornbostel-Sachs category:421.121.12 Open side-blown flutes with fingerholes
  • Repository:Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
  • Measurements:Overall size: 661.; Sounding length: 589.; Bore: conical.