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Austrian Imperial PostHorn – K.u.K. Poststallhalterei Brünn 1866
An impressive oldAustrian Imperial brasspostal signalhorn bearing the engraved inscription“K.u.K. Poststallhalterei Brünn 1866”, decorated with an applied crowned Habsburg double-headed eagle.
The horn retainsits traditional black-and-golden-yellow cord wrapping, suspension arrangementand decorative tassels.
Historical Background
The inscription refers to aPoststallhalterei, a postal horse establishment associated with the horse-drawn mail and passenger transport system of theAustrian monarchy.
Brünn (present-day Brno, Czech Republic)was an important city in Moravia, then part of theHabsburg lands.Post horns were traditionally used by postal coachmen to signal the arrivaland departure of coaches.
Construction and Age
Constructedfrom coiled brass tubing with a flared bell, visible sectional joints and a mouthpiece. The applied imperial eagleretains attractive relief detail.
The brass displays substantial natural-looking patination, with noticeably lighter areasbeneath the cord wrappingwhere the surface has been protected from exposure. The textiles themselves show signs of age.
Specialist Comparison
An apparently identical example was catalogued by the specialist militaria sale houseRatisbon\'sas“K.u.K. – Signalhorn – Poststallhalterei Brünn 1866”, within its pre-1918 Austrian-Hungarian category.
Closely comparable examples have also appeared attheAustrian sale houseDorotheum.
The horn exhibitsconsiderable signs of age, although its exactmanufacturing date has not been independently established. The inscriptiondoes not necessarily indicate manufacture in 1866.
Dimensions: Approx. 34.4 cm (13.5 inches)
Condition
Attractive aged conditionwith surface patina, oxidation, localized verdigrisand wear to the decorativetextiles.
There is a noticeable dent to the flared bell near its rim, particularly visiblefrominside the bell.Please see photographs.
Unpolished and unrestoredduring my ownership. Playing condition untested.
An appealing piece of Habsburg postal history and a distinctive collectible for enthusiasts of antique brass instruments and Imperial Austrian memorabilia.
