This a Vocal horn in C by Rudall Carte & Co of London circa 1885.  This company were successors to Rudall Rose & Carte 1862-1871  - who were known primarily for their woodwind instruments.  In 1880, Henry W, Carte,  son of Richard, became Partner and in 1883 Proprietor.


This particular instrument has Perinet valves and a wide mouthpiece receiver. It is listed in the "Journal of surviving Rudall Carte brass instruments" of the Galpin Society: <http://www.galpinsociety.org/gdsj.html>.

Vocal horns were often used to read off church choral scores, which is why they were pitched like the ballad horn, in C. Vocal horns, ballad horns and trombones were used to play hymns, carols, and the popular music of the day.  For example, there were 19th century popular song books that came in parts. These horns could therefore be used in parlours, in church,  and in community groups.

They were also used in mostly non-professional community bands, similar to the Salvation Army,  which is why C horns often came with a Bb crook, and the F horns came with an Eb crook. The F Horn eventually took over this range in community bands.   They were not used by the military,  nor were they used for orchestral purposes. The orchestral brass has always been trumpets, horns, trombones and tubas.