Historical information
Gustave Auguste Besson and his family manufactured brass musical instruments in France from 1837 and in England from 1857. In England the instruments were stamped "Besson & Co" between 1895 and 1904. The word ‘Prototype’ was stamped on all Besson instruments manufactured after 1885-86 and referred to the method of manufacture. This mouthpiece was found by Warren Bowen in 2017, in the vicinity of the former Linton Railway Station.
Physical description
Metal mouthpiece for a brass musical instrument, probably a cornet or trumpet. Consists of a "U"-shaped cup attached to a tapering shank.
"BESSON & Co" and "Prototype" stamped on the shank.