Expert: Kenton Scott - 8/25/2009

Question
I'm having difficulty in finding information on Wurlitzer brass instruments. I just inherited a Wurlitzer Trumpet serial number 80352, with the inscription of  WURLITZER ARTIST SPECIAL on the bell. I've checked a list I found online, but could not find it in this list. I think that it may be made by another company in the style of Wurlitzer. When I got it serviced, they said that it seems to have similar features as the earlier CG Conn horns dating back to the 20's to late 30's, one of which I'm playing on at the moment.
Your help would be appreciated
Regards
Mario

Answer
It is hard to tell where Wurlitzer got all the instruments that they sold under their own name.  Rudolph Wurlitzer was primarily a dealer.  And, it is unclear how much they may have dictated the design of the instruments they sold.  After about 1906, they did start to rebrand instruments made by Conn.  The 14B, and 15B Conn trumpets were certainly sold under the Wurlitzer name.