Russian bassoon

This instrument was purchased in Nuremberg by the donor. It is a Russian bassoon, which basically combines the serpent bore (large conical bore) with the upright shape of a bassoon. It is made of stained maple in three sections (bell, butt and wing-joint) with brass mounts, keywork and crook. It has four flat, octagon-cover keys, mounted on brass saddles and posts with rods, having flat springs attached to keys. The plain brass garland on bell section was screwed on to thin maple flare and has a lead reinforcement on the inside, appearing to be a later addition. There is an ivory mouthpiece.