Expert: Kenton Scott - 4/3/2006

Question
Hi,
I play an unusual french horn, it is by Holton, and it is a Bb horn. It has 5 valves, the pinky one lowers it by a half step.
I don't really know anything about this horn, and I think it is pretty rare. I was wondering if you have any information about it, like when it was made, how many were made, etc.
I am also wanting to buy a lighter case for it, but I don't know what cases it will fit into because of the odd shape.
I would be delighted to hear any information you have. It's serial number is 303977, and on the bell it says:
Frank Holton Co.
73
Thanks so much.
Holly

Answer
Hi Holly,

I THINK you may have a Holton Bb horn that was copied off of a design originated by Lorenze Sansone, who was a professional horn player who also made horns starting in 1914.  He died in 1975.  Anyway, I know that Holton used some of his designs for their horns, and King did as well.  

I know that the Bb side of the horn is used more heavily by professional players than the F side, and the response is uneven between the Bb and the F side, so Sansone made these Bb horns to maximize the quality of the intonation and response of the instrument.

So, even if your horn isn't a Sansone design, that would still be the reason that it was designed as it is.

Some of the newer cases with soft foam interiors should accomodate it, I would think.

It was made in 1957.

kms