My first post here. This forum was suggested as a source of good information, and since I dabble in trombone and bass trumpet, I decided to join.

I was just given a Conn tenor trombone by the wife of a friend who passed away in 2021. It is quite old. but completely functional, a few dents here and there.

I looked up the serial number that is stamped on the attachment side of the slide, 325148. According to the Brass Serial Numbers page on Conn Loyalist, that would put it in 1939, possibly early 1940.

On the mouthpiece receiver side of the slide, is stamped 11.

The case, which appears to be original is a trapezoidal when viewed from the end, a little narrower at the top than the bottom, wood under leather (it appears)

It came with a Bach 12 C mouthpiece VINCENT BACH CORP., NEW YORK. Looking up mouthpieces on the Bach Loyalist, this mouthpiece could easily be contemporaneous with the information I got from looking up the serial number for the horn. It might be a little old for my friend (born in 1934) to have gotten new, but apparently he used the horn most of his life, playing in college and in a swing band when he was older. The dates kind of add up.

The bell engraving is C.G. CONN LTD, USA, ELKHART IND.

The Medallion on the case shows three walking players (tuba, sax and trumpet, I believe), with CHOICE OF THE ARTISTS on top and CONN below. The counterweight (I guess that is what it is called) has the same information and similar design with the location of the text reverse. CONN on top and CHOICE OF THE ARTISTS below the engraving of the players. Back side of the weight is blank.

From the CONN Loyalist, it seems that the model 11 was discontinued earlier than 1939.

Can anyone identify this trombone?

Thank you

Charlie

Pictures would help but you won't be able to upload them until you have 3 posts.

Near the 6 digit serial number should be another number that ends in H. This is the model number.

Can't help much more.

That just narrows it down to a small bore instrument. Still could be a lot of different things from completely pedestrian to very interesting. Pictures would be the best thing, but you need I think 3 posts to be able to post a picture. Could be 6h, 4h, 12h, 18h, 22h, 24h, 10h, 32h, 28h, 38h, 78h, etc. The 11 probably doesn't mean anything relevant. The trombone model number (xxH) would be near where the bell and slide go together, near the nut, on either or both the bell or slide sides. Also on the hand slide if you move it down a couple of inches.

Are the ferrules silver color or yellow brass? Is the bell reddish, orangeish, yellowish or silverish? What about the main slide tube material? Is the gusset between the bell and the main bell brace rounded or diamond shape? Does it say "Director" on it anywhere (probably near the mouthpiece receiver)?

Thank you for the replies.

I believe I have solved my own problem.

I had read the following on the Conn Loyalist:

"The next thing to do is to check for model names or numbers. For a period from the mid 1920's through to the mid-1950's Conn stamped the model number right above or below the serial number, where the bell and slide sections come together. If you see a model number there (such as "1 2 H"), you are home free. Else check if there is a name engraved on either the side of the mouthpiece receiver/leadpipe or the bell. Check that name against the list below, which also gives some distinguishing features."

This lead me to to check the slide where I had found the serial number and the mystery number 11. When I read right above or below the serial number for the model number, I assumed it would be on the slide too. My mistake.

Yesterday, when I was measuring the bell to help narrow down the options, the screw ring moved up and revealed a model number on the bell section right where it connects to the slide. 32H. With that information and the serial number giving me a production year of either 1939 or early 1940, I can identify this trombone as a Conn 32H Burkle Duo-Bore Large (from the first set of production years for the 32H, 1934-1941 (produced again from 1947-1958, Labeled 32H Artist on the Conn Loyalist site). Interestingly, the one I have looks more like the Artist picture on the website, but the S/N dates it in the earlier production years.

Here is the description on Conn Loyalist site

https://cderksen.home.xs4all.nl/Conn32H193ximage.html

and for the Artist

https://cderksen.home.xs4all.nl/Conn32H195ximage.html

This seems like a very interesting instrument. Looking forward to getting it cleaned up and playing it.

If anyone has any more insight into this instrument, I would love to know about it.

If the serial number points to 1939 but the model 11 was discontinued before that, you might be looking at a transitional or leftover stock model, Conn was known to mix and match parts, especially during the pre-war period. The bell engraving and case details line up with late ’30s production, so it could be a late-run 11 or a hybrid build using 11 parts. A tech or Conn expert could confirm by measuring bore size and slide width.

I've owned a couple 32hs, and have a modified one now. They are kind of an in-between horn, 500/522 dual bore, 7" bell, I think. The slide is very narrow on them, and I had mine widened. I like mine for lead parts in orchestral pop charts or tbone quartet where I've got to blend a high part with bigger bones. It's also kind of comfy for playing Rochut without a valve. They aren't that popular these days. Some like them, some don't, but most people seem to be pretty "meh" about them. I like mine.

With dual bores I always say that they blow like the top slide, but sound like the bottom slide. So 32h plays kind of like a small 500 bore with the fast articulation and lighter touch, but sounds a bit thicker and heavier like the medium 522 bore. Cool horn, hope you like it.

Thank you for the nice explanation @hyperbolica. I am planning to get it cleaned up and see how it plays. Has to be an improvement over the Bundy that is in my stable right now. <grin>