Expert: Kenton Scott - 3/30/2009

Question
Good evening!
 My husband has a trumpet that was his Grandfathers,and we're just wanting to know the history of the piece (besides sentimental history :-# ) It's a beautiful trumpet, with C.G.Conn Ltd. engraved on the bell, with Elkhart, IN. There's a red plastic mouthpiece w/AT-412 stamped around, along with Conn,etc. There are 3 tune barrels #have no idea the proper name)they each have Mother-of-pearl buttons were your fingers go, and on the second barrel/valve, is 247844....we're assuming serial number? His Grandfather has passed away, but played TAPS when he was in the services and when he was Chief of Police in Louisville KY.,many moons ago.Just wanting to know what the trumpet sold for when it was first sold, when was it made? It's beautiful silver, and would love to clean it well, what would you suggest for cleaning? All of the detailed scrollwork is just screaming to be seen, once again :-)! Also, where would we go for replacement parts? Professional work? One Mother-of-pearl piece is missing, has several dents and if possible, my husband would love to get it back to the original state, as much as possible.Thank you very much for taking the time to read my question. If you need a pic of the trumpet, to maybe further identify it, just ask, and I'll take a pic and e-mail to you. Thanks again!!

Answer
The horn was made in 1927, but I suspect it is a cornet rather than a trumpet.  

The mouthpiece, if it is what I'm thinking of was the Conn Visible Mouthpiece and it was marketed as an aid for establishing the proper embouchure.

A good repair service should be able to remove the dents, and replace the pearl on the finger button.  Replacements parts - for the most part - are not going to be available; other than scrapping a similar instrument and taking parts from it.

Wash it in Dawn dish soap and warm water.  You can clean it up with a good quality silver polish.  If you take strips of cloth and wrap them around the tubing and valve casings, it will be easier to clean it.

Original state.  If you are looking to get it back to playing condition again, then there may be things like rebuilding the valves that may be involved.  It you want to get it to look like original, then, what is going on inside is not important, and cleaning and dent removal may be all that needs to be involved.  Although, sometimes, you need to deal with stuck slides, etc. to get to dented areas.