Early 70's Besson info wanted

tptguy

Wondering if anyone has info on these models?..Besson International England made, dual triggers like the 10-10 may be larger bore (.468?) Could this be a pro level model
https://imgur.com/sSxUcM1
https://imgur.com/77A0U2B
Worth fixing tired valves, rest looks pretty good. Short stroke, smooth slides, all parts there and good finish

G.

barliman2001

@tptguy The Besson International cornet models were the first instruments Besson made after the change in the Brass Band world from High Pitch to Low Pitch (i.e. normal concert pitch). They followed the dual pitch Imperial models and were the direct predecessors of the Round Stamp Sovereigns. At the time, they were Besson's (or B&Hs) top of the line. Even today, Internationals are sought after instruments, and some first-class players in the brass band world still stick to them despite Sovereigns and Prestiges. And I know why... in 1990, I fished one out of a Scottish band's bin (put there after what they thought was irreparable damage - the connection between first and second valve had a big hole from being gripped there too often), had it restored by Hermann Ganter, and I've been playing it ever since. Tried to find a more modern one to have a back-up in case the International had a fatal accident, spent a fortune on Yammies, Stomvi, new Sovereign and such... and finally, after re-selling all of those, ended up with a second International (which is now in the market because I found a 1955 Courtois at an Ukrainian dealer). A friend of mine played in the same brass band all his life, for an incredible 71 years, 55 of them as Principal Cornet. Every ten years or so, the band bought a new set of instruments and handed him a new and shiny Sovereign, which he duly held when the appropriate pictures were taken. And at the next rehearsal or gig, he played the old International... his best friend and former band mate, Phil McCann, did the same...

tptguy

@barliman2001 sorry failed tu mention this ie a early 70's trumpet according to the serial number 527...
I actually got it to fix someone's attempt at making a C trumpet out of a same model a few years older. I had read somewhere they where large bore, and i liked the thinn lightwieght bell reminiscent of the Sovereign Studio

barliman2001

@tptguy That is correct. Internationals were made until the introduction of the Sovereign in the early 1980s.

tptguy

So, it should be considered top of the line(Besson/B&H) pro level of that era?
I Have a Strad. *37 from the same time and would love to compare side to side, IF I decide to get the International done...

Thank you for the great info.

G.

barliman2001

@tptguy Besson did nothing topper than the Internationals at that time.