Expert: Kenton Scott - 6/16/2010

Question
I have a very old horn that had belonged to my grandfather. My dad had always told me it was a slide trumpet, the bell is nicely engraved in a floral pattern and has a made by CC Conn, Ltd Elkhart, Ind. in its center. The horn is silver in color with brass colored interior bell. It is the size of a trumpet but has a slide instead of valves. It is with its case that also contains 2 mouthpieces, a music holder, and mute. Any info you could give me on this horn would be greatly appreciated. Thank-you.

Answer
CG Conn did make an instrument like what you are describing, however, I would call them soprano trombones rather than slide trumpets.  Historically, there was an instrument called a slide trumpet, but it was configured differently than your horn.

It is likely that the inner bell is actually a gold wash.  

I believe that Conn made 2 or 3 versions a right around the turn of the century.  One was called the New York Wonder, one was the 16A and one was the 17A.