strange rotary valve trumpet

[bgwbold]

I bought a rotary valve trumpet that is wrapped a lot like a cornet, though it definitely takes a trumpet mouthpiece. The unusual thing is that it has valve buttons that allow me to hold it like a regular trumpet as the rotary pistons are mounted sideways in the body.

The bell engraving includes a small natural trumpet figure standing on the bell. It looks like a three pronged tuning fork.

Anyone recognize this thing? I was going to see about getting it overhauled to use in our civil war era band.

Mike

[LaserBoy]

That would be perfect for a civil war re-enactor band. In that era, you can find rotaries, pistons,
and, like yours, rotaries with "top action".

Civil war collectors and re-enactors spend surprising amounts of money on these things, especially
if there is documentation linking that instrument with a known civil war bandsman.

Have fun researching your horn!

LaserBoy
_________________
Do not look into laser with remaining eye!

[heavyharmonies]

Or he might be referring to a horn like the one shown below. These mostly come out of Europe and usually go for between $50 and $150.

-Dan

[bgwbold]

Thanks, hh, that's it exactly. It is even the same brand most likely, since the wrap of mine is identical to the photos. It is mostly operable and it looks like almost all the essential parts are there. You might post where you got the photos, if it is on the net somewhere. I can see how these sidewinder valves never caught on, by the way.

Mike

[heavyharmonies]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41396&item=3716397036&rd=1

[vlad]

At the Soviet time, sum Russian Furniture Company on Volga region was making the same trumpet and cornet as the product for children. I just want to tell the trumpet cost of this instrument the same as brass recycle. I make this assessment because I recognize case. This cornet not playable and does not have any historical value.

[bgwbold]

Thanks, Vlad. That was pretty much my assessment too. There is not much that can be done to make the valve mechanism work well. I do not have much money tied up in it. It belonged to a friend of mine who probably got it off eBay for next to nothing.

Mike