Mollenhauer flute / fife in sturdy tubular case, 1917

 This is a fife in C,  14-3/4" long (including the little ball on the end cap).  It may be a military fife from WWI.  The leather loop on the case is stamped "GEBR OTTO  / MARKNEUKIRCHEN/ ....strasse / 1917" (a couple of blemishes in the leather obscure the street name).  It looks like the case was designed to hang off a belt.  The leather is saddle-type leather and is still in good condition.    The fife in its case could even be a weapon, like a billy club, the case appears to be made of rigid metal tubing, covered and lined with leather, with a firm leaf spring closure.  Clobber your critics!  The flute will survive the impact inside this sturdy case.

The fife is made in 1 piece, of an unknown wood, with 7 finger holes.  There is a raised "donut" for the pinky of the right hand. It was designed for the player to keep the right hand pinky in place most of the time, but I usually plug the hole with a cork and finger the fife like a "C" tinwhistle. 

I plan to list some other wind instruments this week, please check my other auctions.