Actually that's a key for obtaining e''', in the third octave. The Cnat key being fitted on the side of the chanter is something I've never seen before. Bb is in the back, great for lots of grim tunes.Lorenzo wrote: Interesting alternate thumb note (key above top finger hole on front). Looks like the key is made to play with the left index finger.
Unfortunately the chanter has been quite thoroughly hosed, here is a description from the seller:
"Hello
The chanter is 17 inches long as stated in additions to the auction notice. The chanter looks as though someone has tried to run a drill through from the foot end and has added two finger holes, one 2 and 7/8ths of an inch the other 4 and 1/16 of an inch from the foot. At the foot end the bore is 5/8ths of an inch and off centre and at the other 1/4 of an inch. All the ivory seems to be natural ivory and the other bores appear to be OK.
It will be impossible to export outside the European Union due to CITES embargoes.
I have attached a scan of the foot of the chanter.
Best regards.
Mike Ginsberg."
The "scan of the foot of the chanter" shows that the bore is as wide as the ivory mount itself. I don't think it's quite that simple to just fill in a bore, unfortunately. Filling in and revoicing holes can be done, Ken McLeod had to do this with a Kenna C chanter. Perhaps a bunch of wires in the bore could get you on the way to bringing the chanter somewhat back to life. But the best solution would be a new chanter with a close approximation of what the original bore most likely had: 3.75mm throat, 10.1mm bell perhaps.
He's quite off about being unable to export these pipes, right? Antiques are clear of the board, and this is unquestionably older than 100 years, which is still the cutoff point, innit? 1826-1845, like it says above. This looks much older if you ask me.