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Antique Musical Instruments/EXCELSIOR TRUMPET MADE BY WM FRANK CO CHICAGO

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Expert: - 2/21/2008


Question
Hello I have a EXCELSIOR Trumpet MADE BY WM FRANK CO CHICAGO serial number 2366 can you tell me anything about it?


Answer
William Frank (b. 1876 Allentown, PA -  1932 Chicago) worked for Holton and in 1910 established his own business in Chicago. At one time, he had a work force of 32.  He used American Prep and Belmore as tradenames.

Frank also played French horn in the Chicago Symphony from 1904 til his death in 1932.  

He made some of the Lyon & Healy horns.  Bach, Couturier, Jay, Frank and Holton appear to have some shared parts such as pull knobs, braces, waterkeys, bottom valve caps and 3rd slide rings.

The serial number on the Frank instruments are very confusing, but I think yours comes from 1942-5.  

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Kenton Scott

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Please note: My area is BRASS instruments, not other wind, string or percussion instruments. I will provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. 1) Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site. 2) I am often asked very similar questions, so I'd invite you to first check on Horn-u-Copia.net. Much of the information I have garnered about this topic, I have posted on this WEB site.

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I perform in several historical bands, have informally researched the area, repair brass instruments, and operate a Forum dedicated to the topic at http://horn-u-copia.net

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B.S. Ed, M.S.

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