Expert: Kenton Scott - 7/31/2006

Question
I have aquired a Trombone. It is marked Henry Distin manufacturing company. The number marked is 17159. Its in great condition has 2 mouth pieces and 2 tuning slides. It seems to still have its original case. It also has a liar. Can you tell me any info about it? How muck its worth? How old it is?

Answer
Made in 1901.  The two tuning slides for High pitch and for low pitch.  

Distin was a famous performer turned maker.  His horns are very collectable or playable  The English ones are more collectable.  The US made ones are more playable.  His was a low production high quality shop.

Trombones are bit of a problem though.  The slide technology has changed a lot since this horn was made so the slides have a looser fit than modren trombones, and 'don't feel right' to modern players.  Also, they tend to be a more narrow bore than modern horns.  Trombone slides are also more delicate and few survive this many years without taking damage.  The test of a slide is if set on the floor, whether gravity will keep the outer slide on the floor when the inner slide is lifted.  

Distin was first in London, then moved to New York, then Philadelphia, and then to Williamsport, PA.  This horn was made in Williamsport.  His 1907 catalog only list one slide trombone - model 25.