ABCgirl

My dad is looking at a Martin horn he found in an elementary school library (it's decoration). Because of the situation, the owner (librarian, I'm assuming) probably doesn't know ANYTHING about it, and we haven't talked to her. SO, no information but what I've gathered from the horn itself.

OK, so here's the deal. I can't read the model specifically. It's a Martin, and I think the model starts with and "H". The serial number is 091370. Does that mean it was made in 1970? I'm so clueless it's embarrassing. It's silver (VERY dirty), and seems rather smallish for a trumpet (the bell is smaller than mine, anyway). It's heavyweight, I think (again, all this is comparing to my Bach student model).

Anybody know ANYTHING about this kind of trumpet?

I really appreciate assistance to my ignorance.

ABCgirl

Oh, yes, it also says Elkhart, Indiana under the MARTIN and model name (whatever that model name is). And it has a movable third valve slide ring (the ring is missing, actually, but the setting is still there--how easy is that to replace?).

Solar Bell

From this page, by Jim Donaldson, the Schilke Loyalist, it would seem that horn is from around the year 1929.....

http://www.dallasmusic.org/gearhead/...Committee.html

A lot of Committee information there.

This is actually from his "Trumpet Gearhead" page.

-cw-

ABCgirl

OK, probably is about 1929--LOTS older than I thought, I know NOTHING about serial numbers. Thanks! That's useful!

I don't think it's a Committee. My uncle (experienced trumpet-person) said the committee would probably be a good model, that the third valve slide would be fixed if it was a Committee--it's not fixed. Plus, the model name (the committee name would be right below the MARTIN if it was, right?) is pretty definitely not COmmittee. Maybe the next time I'm there (SUndays and Wednesdays) I could take some pictures and see what you can figure out from that.

Thank you for the site! Lots of good info.

TrentAustin

Is it a Handcraft?

ABCgirl

I don't know if it's a handcraft. I did think something cursive and unreadable started with an "H". I'll have to get pictures.

ABCgirl

I think it's a Martin Superlative. I THINK!!! I've found several pictures of them, and they look very much like the one I'm identifying. Did Superlatives come with a third valve slide ring? The pictures I found online show the setting there, but no ring! I wonder if that was a standard?

Also, does anyone know how much a Superlative is worth? I found one place where someone was selling one for $800, but that could be a crazy price, I don't know (it hadn't sold yet, after all!).

Thank you all for your help! I'll be sure to post pictures soon!

ABCgirl

OK, I got some pictures. I took a closer look at it, now that I know a little more what to look for. It doesn't say superlative, so I guess it's not.

What I did see was Martin Handcraft Dansant, serial number 91370.

The inner bell, which you can see in picture #2, is differently colored. That's like a gold wash, right? And you don't clean that with silver polish, right?

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Transfan74

Your trumpet might be a Martin Handcraft Troubadour. You might check on the bell close to the edge. Enjoy the Trumpet.

(insert saying here)

ABCgirl

I've discovered what model it is: it's a Martin Handcraft Dansant. My uncle, a Marine band conductor, says it's in great shape for its age and it's currently at Camp Lejeune getting into playing condition. I should have it back by mid-February (hopefully) and I'll try to post pictures then!

--ABCgirl