Boston, Massachusetts
E.G. Wright & Company 

German silver
ca 1860’s
Length: 22 in; Bell Diameter: 4.5 in
Wind Instruments – Brasswinds – Saxhorns

Engraving on the bell:  Made by / E.G. Wright & Co. / Boston

Around 1840, Thomas J. Dodworth, Sr., the founder of ‘Dodworth’s New York Cornet Band,’ modified the saxhorns into backward facing instruments nicknamed “back’ard blasters” for use by U.S. military bands that traditionally marched ahead of the infantry and cavalry units. These modified saxhorns called “OTS” (over-the-shoulder) were used extensively during the Civil War.

This is an ‘over the shoulder (OTS) E-flat soprano saxhorn / cornet by E.G. Wright with three string rotary valves.  It is made from German silver and includes three tuning slides for extending the pitch, along with the original mouthpiece. According to “The New Langwill Index, ‘E.G. Wright & Co started around 1855, then in 1864-1866 Wright was with Hartman and H. Esbach as ‘Wright, Esbach & Hartman.  Around 1867 he was with Gilmore as ‘Wright, Gilmore & Co.  Then in 1869 ‘E.G. Wright & Co.’ merged with Graves & Co. to form the Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory.  In 1870 Wright withdrew, working with D.C. Hall and Quinby as ‘Hall, Quinby, Wright & Co. until his death in 1871.

Resource:  “The New Langwill Index: A Dictionary of Musical Wind-Instrument Makers and Inventors.” William Waterhouse.  Tony Bingham, London. 1993., pg. 436.