Expert: Kenton Scott - 7/25/2007

Question
QUESTION: I have an old trumpet that was originally my Aunts and I would like some information on it.  On the bell it has the model name "Richmond" then made by, COUESNON & Cie, PARIS, Made in France.  There is no serial number and the only other mark I can find on the horn is what appears to be an upper case "K" on the middle valve near the bottom.  I haven't been able to find any information on this model on the internet anywhere.  Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: Usually Couesnon instruments have a circle with a number in it, nicknamed the pineapple.  If you can find that, the number in the pineapple is the date of manufacture.



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

QUESTION: I looked all over the horn for the pineapple, but there doesn't seem to be one anywhere.  This really stumped myself and the music store.

Answer
Couesnon has been in business for over 170 years.

By 1911, Couesnon had expanded to eleven factories and more than 1000 workers. During this time the products were highly sought after and were played by many virtuosos.  

But, by 1927 they were down to a workforce of 200. During the 1930s they began catering to marching brass bands, and gradually became almost the only supplier of marching brass instruments in France. They made many horns which were imported into the United States.
  
At the end of World War II, the music business started to change, but Couesnon continued to deal primarily with the special needs and instruments of brass and military bands.  

Starting in the 60 's and during the next 20 years, Couesnon tried to expand its share in markets other than marching bands, but their marketing proved ineffective and factories were sold off and in 1969 the main factory was badly damaged by fire, destroying the archives. The fire resulted in loss of all the company records, including those which would make it possible to determine the year of manufacture from the serial number.   In 1978, the contract with Gretch to import Couesnon instruments to the United States was terminated and new Couesnon instruments have been very rare in the US since that time.  

The company is now a very small family owned business with production of flugelhorns at about 50-60 a year.  

I suspect your horn may be one of those from the 60s or 70s.