Handsome rosewood fife that measures 15 1/2" in overall length, with tapered 2" nickel steel ferrules at either end. The body measures a little over 3/4" at its widest part (the swell just before the embouchure hole). The fife is stamped with the maker and model names a little further down the tube: "GEO. CLOOS / GC / CROSBY." There are some minor handling marks and scratches present on both the wood body and metal ferrules. These "CROSBY" marked fifes were made in the style of noted Boston instrument maker Walter Crosby and were first made for the Boston market by New York City maker George Cloos sometime around 1884, when the first printed advertisements for this model fife appeared in Boston newspapers. This example is in excellent condition overall.
