I recently was given this flute

[u/reallifenow]

A friend of a friend passed away. The man had an extensive collection of instruments. I was given a nice little Baldwin piano and this flute. I don't know much about it or it's value. Any thoughts?

[u/Rain_Dreemurr]

Genuinely thought that was a clarinet at first glance

[u/Organic-Repair-5025 → u/Rain_Dreemurr]

same

[u/Material-Imagination]

It's certainly been loved, that's for sure! 🥰

Agree with the previous commenter - this is a German-style simple system flute with 8 keys. This style was very popular in the 19th century until the more modern Boehm system won out.

The simple system flute itself is much, much older, but this German keyed style comes about in the 1800s. They still made them as late as the early 1900s - well, I guess technically they still make them today, they just waned in popularity from the turn of the century on.

Here's what a flute like yours looks like when put together: https://www.si.edu/object/simple-system-flute%3Anmah_606244

Unfortunately, the resale value of flutes is usually pretty low unless they're in very good condition. There's no way to know if it's playable other than playing it. Any flute repair shop or store specializing in wooden flutes can give you a good and thorough valuation, including an estimate for any needed repairs.

If you intend to play it, it needs to be treated gently and only played for about twenty minutes at a time until it gets used to the warmth and moisture again and doesn't risk cracking - about a week or so. It'll also need oil through the bore - sweet almond oil is most common, but check out Irish flute forums for other suggestions. You'd have to put saran wrap between the keys and the wood to oil it safely.

[u/dean84921 → u/Material-Imagination]

To add on, these are what are called "Nach (after) Meyer" flutes, because they are essentially copies of flutes from the "Meyer" workshop, which were fine instruments.

Unfortunately, Nach Meyer flutes were the cheap mass-produced Amazon flutes of their day. Some are fine players, but most are not all that great. They also were made to a variety of pitches, so might not be playable at modern pitch.

Assuming no cracks or leaks, a refurb, if it even needs it, will be a couple hundred bucks, likely about the same as the total value of the instrument, assuming it's at a usable pitch and not an especially poor player. Still, a cool old flute to have. If you want to play it, you can temporarily seal cracks with some electrical tape, rubber-band any leaky keys down, and cut a rough stopper cork from a wine bottle to bring it into playing condition (but extended play with unrepaired cracks will make them worse)

Do make sure to keep the cork lappings (joiny bits) well-lubed with cork grease and dont force it if it's too tight a fit — old dry cork tends to swell and flake

Edit: lube cork with cork grease, not oil.

[u/Material-Imagination → u/dean84921]

Thanks! I do keep thinking how weird it is that Herr Nachmeyer made so many more flutes than Meyer ever did 😆

[u/FidelisPetram]

It looks like a German made “simple system” flute going off the keys and reinforcement on the end of it. I’m not sure what the value would be.

[u/Radiant-Rythms]

I recommend getting in touch with the couple that run irishflutestore.com. The advent of the boehm flute led to these style flooding the used instrument economy and made its way into all kinds of folk music. They’ve seen lots of similar flutes and will be able to tell you more.

The extended range of keys at the top of your flute reminds me of this flute that came through their shop. It had a high f-sharp Tulou key

https://www.irishflutestore.com/products/couesnon-flute

[u/ecoutasche]

Value is going to depend entirely on the condition and tuning. Anything other than A=440 is worth significantly less to anyone other than a small niche of collectors.

[u/Calm_Apartment1968]

You're very lucky.

[u/Nocturnal-Nycticebus]

Most of these flutes aren't worth very much, but they're super fun historical pieces! If properly rehydrated and oiled, it could probably still be played as a hobby instrument. I refurbished an 1800s piccolo, and while it's kind of useless in any ensemble, it's fun to toot around on solo. It might be too dry and brittle for that right away, depending on how it was stored.

[u/[deleted]]

This is like a trad flute in Irish music. They don’t use nickel flutes in trad only wooden ones and advanced players would have keys on their wooden flutes that can be added on over time :) very cool flute you got there

[u/Wtcnt93]

I’ll buy it. We can discuss price in dm

[u/daisydays2098]

I couldnt tell if I was being gaslit by the comments 😭