Mrxray

I have recently obtained 2 silver brass horns. One is a trumpet and the other is what I am assuming to be a baritone or possible a bass trumpet?. However, both horns have detachable long extended bells, with rings to attach banners. The bell states Imperial B& H, LTD, London made in England with the B & H symbol. The trumpet Serial # is L.P. 402400 and the other one, which might be a baritone, has a Serial # 412829. I am looking for information and resources regarding when these were made and any input on the quality of the instrument at the time they were manufactured. I guess I would be interested in the value of these instruments as well. They seem to be in good shape, just need polishing. The trumpet is in better condition than the other instrument.

As for the non-trumpet instrument, all I can tell you is that it came with a bariton mouthpiece and it has s different fingering chart than a trumpet. I do play the Trumpet so I know that much.

Thanks

Hardnut

Could you possibly post some pictures?
I'm afraid I can't be of any help with regard to categorising the trumpet - but someone will!

Chris.

__________________
Haydn wrote a Trumpet Concerto?

camelbrass

The Imperial name was B&H's premier line from the 50s until the mid 70s. My Besson International cornet (which shared the serial number sequence) is in the 430,000s and is 1968 so I'm guessing they come from the mid 60s (LP in the trumpet serial distinguishes it as 'low pitch'). They sound like they were custom fanfare instruments from your description, maybe made specifically for military cerimonial purposes. Is the other instrument in Eb?

Value is tough. Unfortunately often the regimental banners that these instruments held are worth more than the instruments themselves.


Maybe somebody who is an expert on B&H (Bob Stephenson where are you?) can fill in the blanks or correct me.


Regards,


Trevor

Mrxray

Thanks for the info. I have learned a little more. The both have the rings on the extended bell to hang the banners from. Some people refer to them as "herald" horns. Both instruments seem to have the same fingering. The cork in the spit valve is broken, and is the reason I was having trouble playing it. I had thought it was just because I was a trumpet player and since the mouth piece seems to be like a trombone I just could not play through it.

The bell on the Bb trumpet slides into the trumpet and has a thumb screw that tightens down around the slide. The bell on the other trumpet is actually threaded, male threads on the bell part and female threads on the instrument part.



Where can I find a reference to serial numbers. The Besson website has a broken link, at least the one I have found.

Wonder where you would find those regimental banners...

Mrxray

Here are pics of each horn.

Thanks

Attached Images

	trumpets 013a.jpg (84.1 KB, 17 views)
	trumpets 014a.jpg (84.4 KB, 15 views)

Mrxray

Sorry for so many posts. Just saw a horn like the one that is not a Bb Trumpet. This person called it a Tenor Herald Trumpet.

Cornet1

These are standard fanfare trumpets made in 1967/8

They don't need polishing as they have a 'frosted silver plate' finish.

These are almost certainly ex-military instruments,..do they have any military or regimental markings or engravings?

There are about 8 instruments in a 'set'....soprano in Eb, three Bb's and four tenors.

They were expensive instruments,...a set cost the taxpayer approx £8000 in late 60's early 70's.

Mrxray

Marking on the bell is "Imperial" Then there is the B&H emblem. Then it says Boosey and Hawkes, LTD Made in London.

As far as I can see there is no other marking other than the serial number, each vavle case has a #, 1, 2 or 3.

The only other marking is a # on the bell piece. One horn has a 3 and the other horn has a 4 imprinted on the tubing where it attaches to the Horn half of the trumpets. Any clue what this # signifies or why it is there?

Any idea where I can find a list of serial numbers or a good idea of how to get a estimated value on the horns? They are in good shape, minor dings, just a very few. I am in the process of cleaning them up.

Were there specific mouth pieces that came with these trumpets?

This is an interesting process, learning their history. I obtained them from a person from Canada a few years ago for less than $100 US. They looked horrible but so far have cleaned up well.