I have acquired my fathers old instrument, which after a little research I think could be a copy of a Selmer Paris Manhattan Bb cornet.

The trumpet and case look just like pictures I have seen of a Selmer Manhattan of the period, problem is that neither has a makers mark of any kind!

The trumpet has a serial number 1041 at the mouthpiece opening and 154, 155, 156 on the valves, plus an engraving including the word Manhattan on the bell. No other markings can be seen.

Included with the instrument is a Selmer Paris mouthpiece which is marked........?!

Is it likely that copies were circulating around the UK in the time of WW2? I know the instrument was bought second-hand from a dealer in 1946 in Chelmsford....no other details known...

Any suggestions/clues to help me determine the origin of the instrument?

I don't have any pictures to upload yet...it is away getting some tlc to free-up the slides & valve bases.....

The numbers on the valves are typical of Selmer Paris horns from that era, yours would have been the 52nd horn in a batch.

Thanks....much seems to be authentic, yet no makers name....do you know if they branded trumpets at this time, since if it is a Selmer the serial number places it manufactured in 1934 or 1935?

As an instrument would it be classed as a beginner or intermediate quality (for the time)?

I tried to post on this awhile back, but apparently nothing happened. Selmer USA made a Manhattan model in Elkart after 1927 and the company was separated from the French operation. Carl Greenleaf and George Bundy ran it, and made horns under Bundy, Manhattan, Signet, and others for a number of years.

Would you expect a makers name other than Manhattan on the bell?
Since it turned up 2nd-hand in a shop in the UK, it could have come from either US or France, guess that's part of the mystery.

Originally Posted by GrimBobWood

Would you expect a makers name other than Manhattan on the bell?
Since it turned up 2nd-hand in a shop in the UK, it could have come from either US or France, guess that's part of the mystery.

I can't find a photo of a Manhattan to check. I do know the Bundy cornets of the period had H & A Selmer horizontally on the bell and Bundy engraved vertically. There are some of those around.

Thanks for the feedback so far.
If anyone has a Selmer Paris/US/UK Manhattan trumpet from c1930's and can share pictures, that would be great..the absence of markings on mine means I have very little else to go on except the assumption it is a 'copy'.

Originally Posted by GrimBobWood

Thanks for the feedback so far.
If anyone has a Selmer Paris/US/UK Manhattan trumpet from c1930's and can share pictures, that would be great..the absence of markings on mine means I have very little else to go on except the assumption it is a 'copy'.

Yes, it could be a stencil. I would imagine there have been more than one horn with Manhattan on it.