Hawkes & Son Excelsior-Class 8-Key, F

This Excelsior Class F flute by Hawkes & Son holds historical and musical significance, both for its provenance and enduring influence. The “Excelsior Class” designation was used by Hawkes to indicate their higher-grade line—offering refined craftsmanship, precision keywork, and performance features aimed at professional and serious amateur players. This particular model is one that many modern makers have looked to for inspiration, reflecting its lasting value and respected design.

The instrument features nickel silver hardware throughout—including keys, rings, and ferrules—all with a natural, aged patina that adds to its visual appeal. Notably, silver caps have been added to the tenons, likely to improve durability for use in a military or marching band setting. A small “officer’s property” marking on the body further supports this historical context.

The flute has been fully overhauled by Matthew Slauson, a respected flute technician known for his meticulous restoration work on both antique and modern flutes. His work on this instrument included sealing a headjoint leak, replacing the head cork, repairing the long F and D# keys (speaking as-if it was a 'D' flute), hand-polishing the keys, and fitting the instrument with new pads and corks throughout. It now plays beautifully at modern pitch (A440) with the tuning slide extended approximately 8mm.

Hawkes & Son was a prominent British instrument maker based in London in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Before merging with Boosey & Co. in 1930 to form Boosey & Hawkes, the company produced a wide range of quality woodwinds and brass instruments that remain of interest to players and collectors alike.