Expert: Kenton Scott - 3/12/2007

Question
HOW CAN I DETERMINE THE MAKE OF THE HORN AND IN GENERAL WHO MADE HORNS IN 1913? THE HORN WAS REFURBED AND IN DECENT SHAPE.THEY WERE ASKING 120.00 I WAS JUST WONDERING IF YOU THINK IT IS WORTH THE MONEY? THANKS,CURTIS
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I SAW A TRUMPET IN AN ANTIQUE STORE TODAY. IT SAID IT WAS A 1913 MODEL. IT WAS SILVER AND HAD "UNION" STAMPED ON THE CENTER VALVE BODY.ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THIS MODEL AND WHAT DO YOU THINK IT'S WORTH? THANKS
-----Answer-----
My suspicion is that it was Union Made and that is not the brand.  They would often label the valve assembly that way.  

Answer
There were lots of makers in 1913 (assuming that date is correct).  If the maker was an established entity, he would have engraved his name on the bell of the instrument.  

Many makers would also make horns and not label them, sell them to dealers, who would put their own brand on them.  It sounds like the one you saw was probably U.S. made.  

You can check on www.horn-u-copia.net to get an idea of the number of makers there were.  And, you can check on eBay to get a sense of what instruments are generally selling for.  

But, unless there is something remarkable about this instrument, it is probably not worth that much money.