Soprano cornet in D, silver plated brass. Three Shaw disc valves. Crooks for C and B flat. Original mouthpiece. Tuning slides in valve loops. Stamped: Kohler 35 Henrietta St., Covent Garden, London. Inscription on plate on bell, bearing royal arms, with the following words after the name of Kohler: J. Shaw, Inventor; and Sole Inventor.
Disc valves, or 'Patent Lever Valves', were patented by John Shaw in 1838. Shaw later sold the rights to John Augustus Köhler. Disc valves were one of the many experimental valve types to appear in the 19th century. The valve loop tubing is mounted on a rotating disc and swivels into place when the valve lever is depressed. Disc valves did not achieve lasting popularity; the valve mechanism was fragile and often became stuck.
