Expert: Kenton Scott - 3/25/2005

Question
Ok, If you know more about this than me then you're the most knowledgeable on these trumpets than anyone else in the world.

It's a burnished/satin (wire-brushed?)gold plated trumpet in key Bb/A.  Most likely dates to 1920's because: very small bore, no finger hook, tuning slide pullout to key A with stop, straight out (90 deg.) 2nd slide, and 1 spit valve.  The case could help to determin age.

Now here's the best part.  It's a peashooter that's very, very narrow (especially tuning slide).  In fact everyone that I have talked to has never seen one this narrow.  it has almost no dings in it and gold plate is 80-70%.  It says "VIKING" on the bell with some engraving.  no other markings are visible but on the valves it has stencil numbers 25 26 27.

The trumpet came with an old case I think is a Bohland & Fuchs because of the oval and words on it.  This might not be the original case because I have seen other horns that have Bohemia and B&F on them and they're different.

The case came with a gold mouthpiece (Buescher True=Tone 19)and here's one for ya: a gold Lyre (not a sax's either).  It's very shiny!

Well, this is an Ebay find, and after some small fixes because of the 2 main braces missing (ok maybe not so easy fix) it plays extremely well for a small bore.  It has good compression and the valves (shiny) are never in need of oiling.

You really need to see a picture of this (I'll send you a picture need be).  Where ever I take it, the horn turns heads and becomes center of attention.  Some even ask what key it's in.  I wouldn't have a clue how much this Czech stencil is worth.  If you have any info on this (and my cup of tea won't over-flow...), I would appreciate your effort.

Answer
Hi Kevin,

When you say a peashooter, do you mean that is it more cylindrical than the modern trumpet?  My first thought was that you were describing a true trumpet rather then the hybrid modern trumpet.

Does sound like some previous owner was into gold, huh; possibly a collection of separate accessories, case, mouthpiece and lyre.

It does sound like a Czech stencil.  I don't find any reference to Viking, either.  

I would like to see a picture of the instrument, but I suspect I'm not going to know any more after I see it.  However, I would offer to you the option of putting it on my WEB site horn-u-copia.net.  Some of the visitors may know something more about it.

Kms