I don’t plan on buying it myself, but it looks potentially quite interesting for someone here. I contacted the seller for some details. Its made by Imlay (it says “Imlay London Fecit” on each of the body and foot sections). There is not much information available about Imlay, but I believe he may have once worked for Rudall and Rose, because a google search located an image Jem once posted of a Bb band flute with a stamp “E. Imlay from Rudall and Rose”. Note the word “from” not “for”. The New Langwill Index has only a brief entry for him saying that he was active in the mid 19th century, used to be a partner with Card, and had the mark “Imlay London Fecit”. Anyway, other potentially useful information regarding its ability to play at 440 – length from embouchure to end 585mm, foot length 145mm.
I don’t see why you think it needs a new head. Possibly a better repair job than the existing one, but not a necessarily a replacement. That’s a very doable job, so far as the pictures allow one to see. Clearly (see Q&A on the eBay listing) the flute has been in ensemble use in recent times, so although it isn’t in prime fettle, neither is it a disaster area. There used to be information about Imlay and the other permitted “from R&R” makers on David Migoya’s currently defunct R&R Catalogue website. I do think the starting price is perhaps a bit off-puttingly high, but IMO is not in excess of what this flute ought to be worth and may well achieve, even unrestored.
Assuming there are no hidden major faults, I’d estimate a full overhaul and proper crack repairs would not cost more than c £250 - and you’d have a R&R quality flute for c £1k if it doesn’t bid up far above the starting price. If a new head from a top maker cost you another £800 (and it needn’t be that much, depending on where you go) you’d still have a top notch flute for about the same as a brand new 8-key from one of the less well-known and therefore less expensive (but not necessarily inferior) modern makers.
Interesting flute, did you see the foot keys, they look like salt spoon pads, with metal strike plates? I have never saw that before, usually have pewter with strike plates… Yes, the starting price is a turn off, but it looks like it could be a very nice flute once it is restored.
