S. R. Leland & Son
Worcester, Massachusetts
Bb/A Eclipse model Cornet
#906 c.1900

Length = 13.5"
Bell = 4.75"
Bore = 0.450"
Bb high pitch
Finish: silver

Over the last twenty years, I have had many of the Eclipse cornets that have shown up on the market. These are great horns and compare well with the best that were made in this country. This example is one of the few horns that I have ever come across that still looks like new. This only had one small dent in the bell and a slight crease in the bell rim.

The down side was that everything was stuck solid. This must have sat for most of its life after being played only a short time. The only thing that came apart was the second valve slide. Someone had tried to hit one of the stuck valves out end ended up breaking the bottom of the valve. Thankfully, the part was still inside.

After trying several different methods with the stuck slides, I ended up taking off the ends and removing one tube at a time. Even then, it was very difficult.

All cleaned up and ready to assemble.

Leland tried various designs over the years but this one imitates the classic Conn Wonder model.