Expert: Kenton Scott - 9/19/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have an antique brass instrument that I have had for at
least 25 years. It was an antique when I got it from some
old friends. It is in relatively good shape and just needs
some lube and pads. Bell is stamped Champion Silver Piston
Chicago. Valves are marked with Austria and numbers 133, 134
and 135. The bell is ~ 5 inches across and the instrument is
just over 12 inches long. Can you perhaps provide some
lineage on the instrument? Thanks.

ANSWER: Champion Silver Piston is a tradename used by the Lyon and Healy Company of Chicago.  They were imports.  They sold lots of them.  The numbers on the pistons were maker's marks to keep the parts of the valve together.  They were made in a long string and then 3 were selected to make an instrument.

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

QUESTION: Where might I find the serial number for the instrument? The only markings I see are the logo on the bell and the valve markings. Thank you.

Answer
There is none.  And, even if there were, there is no serial number list for most of the Lyon and Healy product lines.  The company had experienced a series of fires that wiped most of their product information.  And, they purchased imports from a variety of makers.