| Bell Collar 9.75in.
Bell: 30in
Kenton: It looks to me like a 40k, but it is too early. The listings on the Conn Loyalist provide dates based on when Conn started using a numbering system. In any case, it is the earliest date-able bell-forward sousa we have.
There is a 10 stamped in the bell collar (no K) and is probably just to mate the bell and the body. And, it plays about 15 cents flat.
Pryorphone: The Pepper/"raincatcher" was built c.1892
The Conn version 1898.
I suspect this is, in fact, an early Conn bell-forward.
Note that the bell collar of an early Conn is reversed from this:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~cderksen/ConnSousaphone1898image.html
This one LOOKS orginal (from here) because of the brace going up.
The flatness just verifies the early-20th date, the horn was likely built to the former (A=135) international standard, as was my Conn double-bell euphonium.
Since it was built to the early international std. (and not "high"), I would suspect it was made for a professional touring group, like Sousas, and perhaps special order, which is probably why they also made the forward bell so early.
Kenton: It appears to me that this horn has undergone some modifications. It has a lacquered bell, and at this point I am assuming that underneath is a silver bell, that has been altered so that it would look like other sousas in a section. I can not imagine that anyone would lacquer over a gold wash, but who knows. (unless it was damaged)
And, if the durn thing is not heavy enough, there is a lot of protective ribs on it. 3 to the outside and one on the front profile, and probably one on the back profile as well. Original?
Pryorphone: There WERE Conn horns made with a similar protective rib reinforcement.
Bell diameter?
Kenton: 30 inches, and it does have the "after-ring" effect. And, the bell collar is even larger than the 40k by 3/8"
Pryorphone: Sounds like a 48K or pre-48K Conn BBb Jumbo. If the serial number is correct, my guess is that they made it for a professional touring group (like Sousas) to the "old" internation standard pitch.
Pryorphone: The bell engraving, at least, is later than the serial number.
"Conn, Ltd" did not begin until 1915.
|
