contempora

A few interesting horns have surfaced lately that I'm hoping someone can shed some light on:

[1] Reynolds trumpet; serial number listed as 207060, which would date it to 1965. No photos of bell engravings, but seller said in an email that the bell just said "Reynolds". Unlike known Reynolds trumpets, this one has a main tuning slide brace. The first valve saddle is more consistent with 1970s horns from Olds, however, based on my experience, Olds tended to use an adjustable post rather than directly solder to the tube. The third-valve ring is consistent with Reynolds rather than Olds, the latter tended to have a broken ring style.

[2] Olds trumpet; serial or model number listed as NA 100Z0. This one is similar in style to the above Reynolds trumpet, but the NA number seems to indicate a modern "Olds" trumpet rather than a California-made horn.

[3] Emperor Deluxe trumpet. Photos of this one were sent to me via email recently. In much the same style as the above, but marked "Emperor Deluxe" with the number "228" on the front (not side) of the first valve casing. The tuning slide brace appears to be on the actual crook instead of the main tubing. I can't recall hearing of an "Emperor Deluxe" model before, except maybe in reference to the nickel silver bell flare option. See photos at these links:

http://www.contemporacorner.com/temp/empdlx01.jpg
http://www.contemporacorner.com/temp/empdlx02.jpg
http://www.contemporacorner.com/temp/empdlx03.jpg
http://www.contemporacorner.com/temp/empdlx04.jpg
http://www.contemporacorner.com/temp/empdlx05.jpg
http://www.contemporacorner.com/temp/empdlx06.jpg

I'd appreciate any comments or thoughts on the background of these trumpets.

djm6701

The Olds trumpet is indeed a modern (off-shore made I believe) student instrument. They have no relation whatsoever to the design or quality of construction of the 'actual' Olds trumpets made in California, or to Reynolds for that matter.

Oh, and I'm not aware of any Olds horns having the first valve slide saddle beyond early Supers in the 40's or early 50's, not the 70's.