U.S.Q.M.D?

[Acludwig1]

I recently bought a Conn New York Wonder Cornet made around 1898. It’s in very good condition and plays great. The bell is beautifully engraved and etched near the flair is “U.S.Q.M.D”. I know this stands for United Stated Quarter Master Department, however I don’t know what exactly this cornet would have been used for. I’d be very interested to know a little history on it if anybody has some insight.
P.S I used to be on TM a lot before the site disappeared so I look forward to reconnecting with y’all again.

[robcs]

If it's marked by the Quarter Master Dept, it would have been military issue to an army bandsman. In 1912, the QMD was reorganized as the QM Corps, so you know the cornet must have been put into service sometime between 1898 and 1912.

1898 coincides with the start of the Spanish-American War (which reached Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines), so it's possible/likely the player and the horn saw active service. This is list of US units that took part, and your cornet may have been issued to one of the regimental bands - it would have to be an Army unit, because the Navy had it's own equivalent of the QMD.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Military_units_and_formations_of_the_United_States_in_the_Spanish%E2%80%93American_War

You never know, your cornet may have belonged to a Rough Rider - maybe it played Sousa marches for Teddy Roosevelt (the regiment's Colonel at the time)!

Rob
_________________
Play with the QORC and GGHG bands
Tpt: Bach 180S37, Besson K Int’l, Sprengler SARV, Radial C, Schiller Eb/D, ACB Picc
Crnt: ACB LB, Reynolds CR301B
Flgh: Jupiter 846RL
WX5 just because

[Acludwig1]