Cornet à Cylindres

The unusual body shape of this 'cornet à cylindres, système Sax' was inspired by both the trombone and the French slide trumpet.  Like the slide of a trombone, the main tuning slide is positioned at the front bow and extends forward beyond the bell.  As on a trombone, the bell can be turned and removed for packing.  Like the French slide trumpet, the cornet à cylindres has an S-shaped leadpipe.  In the tradition of the cornet à pistons, the cornet à cylindres has shanks and crooks for various keys.  This instrument also survives with its original cornet mouthpiece.  Sax used the term cylindres to describe the Berlin piston valve with its bulky valve casing. This cornet model was displayed by Sax at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London.