Courtesy of the Dayton C. Miller Flute Collection
Library of Congress, Music Division, Washington , D.C. 20540
https://www.loc.gov/item/dcm000879/
Place of business: Boston, Mass
Note: This is an original Crosby fife made by Walter Crosby of Boston. This is not a Cloos/Crosby or a Crosby style fife. The original Crosby fifes are very different from the copies!
Dates of business: Circa 1830-1872*
*Per Langwill
This fife is marked: W. Crosby/Boston
Features:
Length of Instrument: 17 1/2
Wood: Appears to be Black Ebony
Key of Instrument: Bb
Finger Holes: Different sizes
Note: Finger holes are of different sizes that are referred to as the “Crosby Pattern”.
The spacing on the holes is as follows: Not measured
Swell: Not measured
Diameter: Not measured
Ferrules: Silver/seamed
Note: Engraved on top ferrule, A.C. Smith / C.R.G