I posted this on another site, so forgive me if you've already seen it. A friend has this King Master Model cornet he's wanting to sell, but has no idea of the value. I took it home with me and cleaned it and oiled it to try it out. It seems to be a nice old horn, but is a little too bright for my cornet tastes. The s/n dates it to 1941, and U.S. is engraved on the bell and stenciled on the case. The only things wrong with it are a little valve wear, a few places where the bell was straightened, and a brass, non-King 3rd valve water key. I don't want it, but what should I tell him he should ask for it?

I've seen the value for these all over the place. As I posted on a separate thread, I bought my 1938 Master Model for $50 on Craigslist. Other than a dented bell, it was in very good condition, with pristine valves. Not sure I can tell the value, even with all that I have learned since buying mine. My personal opinion: It looks nice, but I wouldn't pay more than $130 tops for it considering the work that it needs (But I'm cheap!)

It's interesting for the fact that it's a WW II-era military-issue model, and that provenance might add somewhat to its value. Many of the major brass manufacturers did their part for the war effort by producing horns for military bands, and they almost all have the "U.S." engraving on them. They're often large bore and are usually pro-caliber horns. If you had any information about the original owner and whether or where this horn may have "seen action," it might raise its value with collectors. Otherwise, it's probably just comparable to any other vintage pro-caliber cornet and will command a price commensurate with its playing characteristics and the cost of any work it may need. I don't know: $200?

These are high quality horns with dated but pro level features. Dual bore, micro tuning slide, etc. They have some of the nicest valves around. Two or three years ago you could get one in good condition for $50-100. Now one in nice shape is $50-250. I think it depends on who is in the market when the horn is for sale. I have three. I paid $60 for one, a brass horn with good lacquer and very minor dings. The second was $95 and silver in good condition but needed a brace soldered. The third was $110 and in great condition, a brass large bore horn. These were all bought in the last three years. The draw back to the horn above is the worn valves. They do have a bright tone as many old cornets and trumpets do. I like to play Dixieland on mine, it is fun and easy to play and has a solid upper register better than most other cornets I have played.

Thanks for the photo's Dale, I'll stick with my research I posted on your TH query. I was just looking over a closed auction one for a 34 model, silver, on ebay that sold for $177.50 and your friend's looks a lot cleaner and has that flat headed bolt thing on the bottom slide, for what? There are a lot of military horns around . The earlier ones frequently were marked quartermaster corp. I have noticed on those ebay completions, the Master cornets have gone for more than the trumpets in most cases. The really nice one that sold for $300 was pre - 1930 a bit. Your's looks in good shape to me and I would be interested if I had any money.

Originally Posted by MFfan

...I was just looking over a closed auction one for a 34 model, silver, on ebay that sold for $177.50 and your friend's looks a lot cleaner and has that flat headed bolt thing on the bottom slide, for what?...

That's a thumbscrew tuning slide adjustment. When the thumbscrew is loosened, the slide assembly can be pulled out to place the cornet in A and then can be re-tightened. This feature was standard on really old King cornets (including their "Military Model" from around WWI), and may have been a military spec item.

Dale:

I don't recall if you mentioned what the bore size is. It's usually stamped on the 2nd valve casing, if you don't mind looking.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Darthsunshine

Dale:

I don't recall if you mentioned what the bore size is. It's usually stamped on the 2nd valve casing, if you don't mind looking.

Thanks

It says medium bore.

Originally Posted by Dale Proctor

It says medium bore.

Thanks

the king trumpet or cornet is around $1,200