This set of circa 1920s Hendersons is tonally top-drawer, but comes with some visual compromises and is priced accordingly.

At first glance, the metal mounts appear to be engraved silver. However, there are no hallmarks, and it actually looks to be engraved brass, or perhaps German silver, and silver plated. The effect is very much like the real thing.

The pipes are cocuswood, but it appears the bass bottom joint has been stained to look more like blackwood — perhaps an abandoned effort to make the pipes look like blackwood.

The projecting mounts are in good shape except for the bass mid-joint. About a quarter of this mount has been broken off and subsequently buffed smooth. The blowstock appears to be blackwood, with the original projecting mount. The blowstick has a repaired crack near the mouthpiece.

Tonally, the pipes are excellent — full and steady in the Henderson cocuswood tradition. The tenors tune a bit lower than my own 1920s cocuswood Henderson.

These pipes are a good opportunity to acquire classic Henderson cocuswood tone without the price tag of a classic silver and ivory set.