Expert: Kenton Scott - 2/19/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi.  A friend just gave me an old Conn trumpet she found in her mom's attic. I think it is a trumpet, but it is shorter and taller than modern trumpets so im not sure if it may be a cornet.  It has the Bb/C rotary valve.  it seems fairly complete with the original case, two mouthpieces, and several different crooks.  it even has an old jar of slide grease.  the serial number is 13085.  it has beautiful etching all the way up the bell including a picture of a lady just above the name Conn, Elkhart Ind, USA.  how can I find out about the date of this instrument and how to properly use the crooks?  thank you, eric - new orleans

ANSWER: I think you are describing a cornet.  But, I wonder about that serial number.  Is it possible that there is another digit on it?

The reason I ask is that it seems like the rotary valves were generally seen on horns from around 1910 to about 1930.  

13,xxx would put it around 1887.  And 130,xxx would be around 1913.  

However, the multiple crooks would indicate an horn probably no newer than the second decade of the 20th century.  And another possibility is that there were 'after-market' rotaries that could be added to horns.  

If you want to send pictures to Kenton@punxypa.com, we may be able to be more certain what it is.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Upon further inspection and removal of tarnish, I realize that the serial number is 212919.  the engraving on the bell is floral in design and there is a picture of a lady - not naked - above the wording.  the crooks still have me confused, though.  there is a crook for each valve, but there are also two crooks for the Bb/C loop. one is longer and plain tubing, the other is shorter with two gripping knobs.  the valve crooks presently in the horn are stamped Bb but i cant find any marking on the key-change crook.
thanks


Answer
OK, we are talking about a horn from the mid 1920's then.  

It is hard to exactly envision what is being described, but one other possibility is that the horn was designed to be converted from high pitch to low pitch.  That may account for the extra crook for the rotor.

If the crooks are stamped with Bb after a groove in the tubing, then that is probably a recommendation on how far to pull out the slide to play it in tune when the rotor is set for Bb.