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Post horn

With cord and tassels exhibiting the colours of the canton of Uri, in Switzerland, this was one of the many small horns that were used by mail coaches travelling through the Gotthard Pass, making the connection between Flüelen and Camerlata, near Como, in Italy. Although 1831 was the year in which the post started transiting through the pass, the Gotthard post was only extended to Camerlata in 1850. It is a double-coiled, circular horn made entirely of brass with a brass mouthpiece.

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  • Decorative elements:Embossed shield of Swiss post on bell flare. Worsted cord and tassels of yellow and black, representing the colors of the canton of Uri, in Switzerland.
  • Inscriptions:Stamped on bell: GOTTHARDPOST / FLÜELEN - CAMERLATA / 1831
  • Hornbostel-Sachs category:423.121.22 End-blown labrosones with curved or folded tubes, with mouthpiece
  • Repository:Museum of Army Music
  • Measurements:Length: 350mm; Width: 235mm; Bell diameter: 124mm; Sounding length: 1435mm