This lovely little alto was made by Moses Slater at 538 Broadway, New York City near  the end of the US Civil War.  Slater was born in England in  Nov. 1826   and emigrated to New York in 1841. In later years he was partnered with S.T.Gordon, G.R. Martin, and H. Distin. He died in 1920.

This alto employs string operated top action rotary valves in common use during the  Civil War. Despite it's age the horn still plays beautifully with a sweet and centered sound.