1913 Conn New Invention Circus Bore Bb/A cornet

This is a 1913 New Invention Circus Bore Bb/A cornet.  This is one of the new models that was developed after the 1911 fire that destroyed the Conn factory.

This cornet is a Large bore model as noted with an “L” stamped on the valve casing.  The bore measures .484.  

This cornet comes with a full set of slides for both A and Bb.  It also includes the mute and lyre to make a complete kit, minus a mouthpiece.  

This cornet has some dents in the crooks and a couple of stuck slides.  As it is being sold to liquidate a collection, it is being sold as it is.  The valves show some wear, but as best we can tell the compression is still good.  The bell engraving is very nice and has gold plating applied to the lower part of the engraving and it also has a gold wash bell.

With the set of slides (the shorter of the two sets) it plays in Bb and in Low Pitch (A440), however, it has a 4/34" bell and a total length of 15 3/4 inches, which based on the information below from the 1913 catalog would suggest that this is a High Pitch model.  The only explanation is that this particular model pre-dates the catalog information or the catalog information is incorrect because as it is, this cornet plays in tune with modern Low Pitch.

With minimal work, this cornet could be put back in very nice condition.

What Conn said in 1913:

The claim made for the New [Invention] Circus Bore Cornet is that it has a better and more correct scale throughout its entire compass, that it plays easier and has a bigger and more powerful voice-like quality of tone. That it is better balanced, handles easier and that its tone responds more quickly and more readily. The bell of this Cornet hang downward to prevent the free use of the performer's embouchure, and the performer can do more on the Circus Bore Cornet and last longer when doing it than with any other Cornet.

Low Pitch Cornet weighs 2 lbs. 6 oz., length 16¼ inches, bell diameter 5 in.

High Pitch Cornet weighs 2 lbs. 5 oz., length 15¾ inches, bell diameter 4¾ in.