DCM 0104: Wünnenberg Dual-Use Flute Head Joint

Head joint with nearly 180 degree U-bend followed by a nearly right angle bend for vertical holding (patent no. 49789). The basic curved unit terminates in a tenon which fits into either a standard metal cylindrical flute body or into a coupler which contains both the head joint socket back to back with a second socket for use on a wooden body flute which has a tenon at the upper end. Used this way, this head joint is curiously short and would only generate only a very high pitch instrument, possibly functioning as a D-flat flute. With it is an extension tube.
Instrument type: Dual-Use Flute Head Joint
Medium: Nickel silver with nickel plate, with embouchure barrel made of ivory imitation composite material.; 11.7 cm., 11.5 cm. (extra joint)
Key Holes System: Wünnenberg's patent for new flute head joint.
Mark Maximum: WÜNNENBERG'S D.R.P. N°. 49789 / (design) KÖLN A / RHEIN (design)
Mark Additional: Mark on head.
Condition: Ivory tube cracked and filled.
Provenance: Karl Krause, Albany, New York, 1918-1919.

The Dayton C. Miller collection in the Library of Congress, contains nearly 1,700 flutes and other wind instruments, statuary, iconography, books, music, trade catalogs, tutors, patents, and other materials mostly related to the flute. It includes both Western and non-Western examples of flutes from around the world, with at least 460 European and American instrument makers represented. Items in the collection date from the 16th to the 20th century.