I've come across a french horn very very cheaply. I rented it for a few months before H&H went under and no one would get back to me on the selling price and then the company died so it's mine. I play just for myself...and it's been years since any formal lessons, but I've been looking into the horn and I'd like to know a bit about it. I've looked at it upside down and sideways and I can't find a serial or model number. It has Atkinson engraved in huge cursive letters on the bell. It's a double and lacquered brass. Any idea on what kind of steal I managed to find, or how I'd figure it out?

If this is the horn I think it is, the answer is no. There is no way to find out what kind of a steal or even if you got a steal. Well, maybe one way.

First off if it is the horn I think it is the horn is not related in any way to the excellent horn maker out of California, Atkinson Horns. If it is the suspect horn it is an Atkinson model named after some other Atkinson.

To find out what value the horn has you need to have someone who can play it well put it through its' paces and see what it can do, then have them give you a value of the horn.