Older F.A Reynolds horns

radiobob · Posted: Sun May 23, 2004 9:52 pm Post subject:

O.K. so I did a BIN on this and thought I had a pretty good deal on this 1941 horn:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16214&item=3726156700&rd=1

But then I searched completed items and saw a 1939 U.S. marked horn, in silver and very good shape, sold for only $81. So I'm wondering, is it only the silver belled ones and the Contempora and Argenta that are very desirable? I would have thought the military model would be more desirable. I've heard the old Reynolds were good horns. I'm not complaining, I know it's still a good deal. Any info appreciated. Thanks.

Bob

[ This Message was edited by: radiobob on 2004-05-24 11:16 ]

conn53victor · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 5:46 am Post subject:

Alan Rouse (http://rouses.net/trumpet/olds.htm) is threatening to expand his Olds site to include Reynolds. I am starting to be curious about the Reynolds line because of its close connection with Olds- FA Reynolds was 'instrumental' in the design and introduction of the Ambassadors after he sold his company and joined Olds.

Is anyone ready to post a starter list of models with approximate years and preliminary serial numbers?

This post guaranteed to be 100% free of eBay references... except for this guarantee. ;>)

JoeCool · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 7:41 am Post subject:

Seems to me FA Reynolds was Zig Kanstul's mentor.

Ebayscrounger · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 7:54 am Post subject:

Not only that, but he was also the mind behind some of Kings early great horns.
_________________
I once had it, but I lost it. Where did it go???

Still looking for my horn...

bulos · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 8:07 am Post subject:

radiobob · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 8:12 am Post subject:

You're right, military issue would be more appropriate. I would love to see a site dedicated to Reynolds, and I think Alan's site would be the ideal place to do it. I'll volunteer to help with research.

Bob

conn53victor · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 9:07 am Post subject:

As I surfed the 'net for Reynolds serial numbers, I found refereces to sax and flute serial numbers. They seem a different numbering system from trumpets/cornets. Also, Reynolds seem to just be a stencil in the early days of its woodwind line (stencil means that they had another company, Buescher and Martin in this case, make their saxes with Reynolds engraved).

radiobob · Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 9:10 am Post subject:

That's interesting. I read that Reynolds began production in 1936 and conventional wisdom figures 2,000 produced per year till he sold the company in 1947, for brasswinds anyway.

Bob

conn53victor · Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 7:51 pm Post subject:

There's a nice description of a RFeynolds trumpet here. It also contains a pretty definitive serial number with year connection. #12740 = 1946

"...a one owner vintage FA Reynolds b-flat trumpet. I was already studying four years when my older brother bought it for me brand new after his discharge from WW II in 1946... A great feature I can remember about this horn is that I played many one hour or more sets at dances and weddings and it never wore me out. I was always pleased how easy a blowing horn it was. The serial number is #12740 clearly engrave on the grip."

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3725053137&indexURL=3&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting

radiobob · Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 8:08 pm Post subject:

Thanks Conn 53, I was looking for better pics and the dated serial number is great.

Bob

nacog · Veteran Member Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 232

I am not totally convinced that the 1946 is the year it was manufactured. The company was sold in 1946-47 at which time it became Roth-Reynolds. I have a Reynolds professional that is pre-Roth and has a serial number in the 20,000 range. Also , all the Roth Reynolds horns that I have seen have serial numbers in excess of 20,000. I kind of wonder if that trumpet was new old stock from 1941 since not too many band instruments were being sold to the public during the war years. I love the old Reynolds horns (I have 4 prewar models included 2 that were made sometime in the first few months of the companys startup) and would love a Reynolds site. From what I've seen, matching serial numbers to years is quite a challenge. What would be nice is if some warrenty cards with dates and serial numbers would show up. If only everyone had been as thorough as Vincent Bach was with his shop cards.