Expert: Kenton Scott - 7/24/2006

Question
I have this silver Cavalier Coronet that my mom used to play in the band and I was wondering if you could tell me the age and value of this coronet today. She was born in 1931 and the serial # on the horn is 51203. Thanks

Answer
The Cavalier's were a second line of a second line.  That is to say that the main company was Conn, and Conn used Pan American as their economy brand.  And, in turn Cavalier was an economy version for Pan American.  

That being said, I have found that Cavaliers are generally pretty decent instruments.  

The next part is the problem of serial numbers.  Pan American used a different sequence than did Conn.  But, I'm not sure whether the Cavalier had yet a different sequence or not.  If not, then your horn would date to the late 20's.  Going at it another way, it appears there were three Cavalier Models the 92A, introduced in 1924, the 90A with production years of 1930-38, and the 58A - introduced in 1946.  

The 90 looked more like a trumpet than a cornet.  On the 92 the tubing goes from the mouthpipe to the 3rd valve.  On the 58 the tubing goes from the mouthpipe to the 1st valve.

As to value, I believe these horns generally sell for less than $100.  But, they probably are better instruments than that price would indicate.