TrumpetMaster - View Single Post - Mystery trumpet with lugnut-like shaped bell

veery715 · 02-12-2008, 01:52 PM

I agree it is a serial number. In those days pistons were machined to match individual instruments during manufacture and those numbers ensured that pistons weren't mixed up and put into the wrong horn. The coarse tolerances to which valve assemblies were made didn't allow for uniform enough pistons/cylinders that they could just make a whole slew of parts that would all be interchangeable. It is likely that the pistons were lapped in the cylinders so that the fit would be good, and once done they needed to be used in those same cylinders so they were stamped with the serial number at that point to keep them "connected" in the assembly line.
I am not saying all contemporary instruments were built to those coarse tolerances, but many were.

02-12-2008, 01:52 PM	#36 (permalink)
veery715 Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ithaca NY Posts: 628	Re: Mystery trumpet with lugnut-like shaped bell I agree it is a serial number. In those days pistons were machined to match individual instruments during manufacture and those numbers ensured that pistons weren't mixed up and put into the wrong horn. The coarse tolerances to which valve assemblies were made didn't allow for uniform enough pistons/cylinders that they could just make a whole slew of parts that would all be interchangeable. It is likely that the pistons were lapped in the cylinders so that the fit would be good, and once done they needed to be used in those same cylinders so they were stamped with the serial number at that point to keep them "connected" in the assembly line. I am not saying all contemporary instruments were built to those coarse tolerances, but many were. __________________ Music = Love Trumpets: Lawler Bb / Olds Recording / Schilke B2 Selmer Rad 2 / Yamaha 8310Z Holton MF ST 550S / Stage 1 California C Easyplay mini-trumpet (????) / Chinese Special / Benetone 1934 Cleveland (HN White) 603 Silver Plate w/ Gold Bell Kanstul ZKT 1525 Flugelhorn Cornets: Conn 36A / King Super 20 Master Olds Ambassador / Conn 18A King HN White 1904 Bb+A / Ohio Regent Soloist Conn 16E Eb/F Mellophone Piano, keyboards, vibes, congas, guitars, yada yada