I saw this and it caught me off guard a little....why even MAKE this?? I think the lever on the main body would be a pain to play on....then again it would be fun to hit a nice low Bb. Other than that, it seems completely useless...just thought id share with the rest of the class.

check the Dayton C Miller flute collection, there are a few antique flutes that have a low Bb

flute d'amore

http://www.sankyoflute.com/e/catalog/damore.html
Pitched in A, and about 3/4 the size of an alto flute.

These are awesome for jazz work, but you'll never actually run into one($$$$). Real shame, too, since it really gets the basically the same job done as the Alto but is tons easier to play.

Haynes #31612 at Fluteworld is a Concert C (A=440) flute with a Bb foot joint.
http://www.fluteworld.com/index.php?action=prod&wart=49182

Why make it? because you can.
Some argue like Rampal.. why have a flute with a B foot and others from the even older school would argue as to why have one with any notes below a low D.

Suzie, thanks so much for the link to the eBay seller's crazy set of instruments. I LOVE to see instruments of all sorts. I loved the 600 pound saxophone!

Woops! Thank you ANNE!!