EVOLUTION of the BUGLE in BRITAIN & AMERICA
No group had more of an impact on the evolution of the bugle than the Royal Artillery Bugle Band. Located in Woolwich, England, the ensemble started as a drum and fife band in 1748. Following the Crimean War (1853-1856), the existing drum and fife band was turned into a bugle band.
French military influence on the U.S. military during the Civil War (1861-1865) prompted the substitution of the bugle in fife and drum corps by some volunteer units. U.S. bugle corps resembled French corps very closely. Many of the bugle signals used during the war even came from the French military.
The late 1800s provided an astonishing assortment of bugles offered by manufacturers. Bugles for the military were offered in several keys and several configurations. Likewise, bugles designed for civilian use were also becoming more prominent.
A specialized bugle was created for use by bicyclists. Triple coiled, these compact bugles were small, but were the same length as larger double-coil bugles. The compact design of the bicycle bugle was also utilized for pocket bugles. Bicycle bugles sometimes utilized an oval bell flare instead of the traditional round configuration.
Becoming a symbol for the bicycle competitions, some finely crafted presentation bicycle bugles were used as prized for some of the more prestigious bicycle competitions. These particular bugles are considered highly-prized and valuable by today’s instrument collectors.
It’s unclear what affect these instruments had on the design of the small horns with rubber bellows that were later used on bicycles and early automobiles. To this day, the universal bugle symbol is used as identification on horn buttons found on automobile steering wheels. *
1890 Henry Keat & Sons Prize Buglet (4 Turns)
Prize for Oundle Cycling Club, presented by W.R Heighton
(Now sold)
The cycling bugle was described as a Buglet by the manufacturers and inventors, Henry Keat & Sons, of Stoke Newington, London, as it was a smaller version of the military bugle, comfortably fitting into a cyclist’s coat pocket.
Early cycling clubs were formed along military lines, with a captain in charge. The bugler would announce when the cyclists were to mount, move off, slow down, beware of other road users or dangerous hills, dismount, etc.
The Buglet was often supplied for prizes, and awarded to cycling clubs for various achievements. This example was presented to the Oundle Cycling Club in Northamptonshire, in 1890. The presentation was made by Mr. William Heighton, who manufactured Vinco bicycles and had depots around the area.
As well as the Henry Keat & Sons company cartouche (engraving) and the presentation shield on this bugle, there is an engraving to show that the company was the official musical instrument supplier to the ‘War & Indian Offices’ (The India Office replaced the the British East India Company in 1858, as a result of the Indian Rebellion the previous year).
As may be expected with a copper item that has been used over thirteen decades, there are a few dents, but overall this bugle is in excellent original condition. With its presentation plaque from 1890, it provides a unique glimpse into cycling history 130 years ago.
HENRY KEATS & SONS
103-105 Matthias Rd, London
W.R HEIGHTON
In 1890, W.R Heighton presented this prize buglet to Oundle Cycling Club for their year’s achievements. Heighton was a cyce manufacturer, and his Vinco Cycles was based at Elton, Hunts.
Heighton, W. R., Ltd: Offices and works were at Elton, Huntingdonshire, with depots at 51 Westgate, Peterborough, Bridge Street, Thrapston, West Street, Bourne, and at Whittlesey. William Ralph Heighton (b. 1858) started in the cycle business in 1886 but manufacture may have come later. By 1893 demand was such that eight ‘Vinco’ models were then in production ranging from £4 10s. to £14. By 1896 Heighton had formed the Vinco Cycle Co. Ltd. with the issue of 20,000 £1 shares to the public on 2 November. Electro- plating and enamelling were done on the premises. By 1905 trade was falling off rapidly and the employees were put on notice. The following spring Heighton surrendered the lease on half of his premises, reduced the number of tied cottages and made some employees redundant. With this reduced operation production of ‘Vinco’ cycles continued until the early 1920’s while a motor trade was built up. The motor business continued until 1965 in the hands of Heighton’s son, Stanley.
[extract from AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF CYCLE MANUFACTURERS: The Early Years up to 1918, by Ray Miller]
* Bugle history with thanks to – http://www.middlehornleader.com/Evolution%20of%20the%20Bugle%20–%20Section%202.htm
W.R Heighton article by Ted Tyndall, published in News & Views Magazine, No 355, June/July, 2013.
AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF CYCLE MANUFACTURERS: The Early Years up to 1918, by Ray Miller
