Horn Makers & Retailers
I have assembled a guide to the historical manufacturers & retailers of hunting horns as a reference for dating quality antique horns. Any additional information would be gratefully recieved. I hope that these pages will make a useful resource and I will add to them as often as I can.
Keith, Prowse & Co
Keith, Prowse and Co was a company of music sellers, publishers , instrument makers & dealers from 1830 until the 1950's . Founded by Robert William Keith (1767-1846) & William Prowse (1801-1886) . They operated from the 48, Cheapside , London address in the late 1890s .
G.B.Butler
George Butler started up in Dublin (Ireland) in 1826,
Known Dublin address's
34 Sackville Street, 1832
59 Mary Street, 1833
11 Essex Quay, 1868–82
34 Bachelor's Walk, 1882–1926
2 Lower Abbey Street, 1926–27
they opened a London branch at 29 Haymarket in 1858
.(The Fermanagh Mail advertisement of 1876 states that Butler's 'Manufactory' was in Haymarket London and the 'Branch Establishment' was at 11 Essex Quay, Dublin.)
Boosey & Co
The first Boosey offices in London opened in 1792 at 4 Old Bond Street, moving to 28 Holles Street in 1816 and 295 Regent Street in 1874. They merged with Hawkes & Sons in 1930
Boosey & Co bought out Henry Distin of 31 Cranbourne St , Leicester Square in 1868 so any Boosey horns bearing the Distin trademark would be later than that date
Hawkes
Hawkes & Co established 1860 at Cumberland Street. Pimlico until 1862 .They moved to 33 Soho Square from 1862 until 1875 . In 1875 shortly before becoming Riviere & Hawkes they moved to Leicester Square until 1889 when they remained at that address but traded as Hawkes & Son until 1895. The address changed again to Denman Street Picaddilly Circus where they remained until they merged with Boosey in 1930
Boosey & Hawkes Ltd
Boosey & Co merged with Hawkes & Son in 1930 so horns made after this date were stamped Boosey & Hawkes
Swaine & Co
James Swaine started in business in 1798 and moved to 185 Piccadilly in 1835 .Swaine & Co dates horns to before 1845 when James took his nephew into the business and the company became Swaine & Adeney.
SWAINE & ADENEY
After James Swaine took his nephew into the business the earliest horns were simply marked SWAINE & ADENEY LONDON , later horns after 1907 when Swaine & Adeney took over Kohler had the SWAINE & ADENEY 185 PICCADILLY LONDON PROPRIETORS OF KOHLER & SON MADE IN ENGLAND with the 1851 exhibition medals. The mark was later simplified around the 1950's to a 4 line stamp SWAINE & ADENEY LONDON - PROPRIETORS OF KOHLER & SON MADE IN ENGLAND . Henry Keats made all their horns after 1907 until 1984. Swaine & Adeney merged with Brigg's in 1943.
Kohler & Sons
Kohler & Sons 12 Gt Chapel Sreet. Westminster (From Covent Garden) London .The mouth piece is marked K & S. Kohler horns carried various addresses over the years which helps to date their horns quite accurately , click here Kohler & Sons for a full page breakdown of Kohler stamps , dates & further information
Henry Keat & Sons
According to their registered trademark Samual Keats established the business in 1795, by 1825 was in business with son George supplying instruments to Thomas Key. In 1830 they moved to larger premises at 3 Fisher St , Red Lion Square . Another move in 1835 took them to 12 Upper St Martins's Lane. By 1840 Keat & Son were at Black Horse Yard 190 High Holborn. In 1856 Samuels other son Henry bought out brother George & took his sons into the business, Daniel in 1857 & George in 1860 .Henry Keat & Sons were at 190 High Holborn till 1866 when they move to 103-105 Matthias Road , Newington Green . After WW2 they moved to 59 Curnock Street , Camden Town & in 1963 they again relocated to Clarence Mews . Ian Clatworthy bought the business in 1984 . The present owner Ian Compton took over in 1988 & the business was relocated to Sutton Scotney.
Henry Keat& Sons made horns for all the leading saddlers including - Merry , Whippy , Wilkinson & Kidd , Cornish & Rogers as well as Army Navy Stores and Potters of London .
When Swaine & Adeney took over the business of Kohler & Sons in 1907 Keat & Sons made all their Hunting Horns till 1984.
Army & Navy
The Army & Navy Co-operative Society Ltd. was incorporated on 15 September 1871, being formed by a group of army and navy officers at Vicroria Street , London. The aim of the co-operative was to supply goods to its members at the lowest remunerative rates. The company grew to have multiple branches at home & abroad. In 1934 it became Army & Navy Stores Limited & the wording on the circular logo was changed . In 1973 the business was purchased by House of Fraser.
