1929 Conn 56B New Era Bb trumpet sn 266623

 The serial number dates this trumpet to 1929.  By 1929, Conn had begun stamping the model numbers on the receiver, but this trumpet does not have a model number at this location.  It has been refinished,  and the engraving is very good, so it is unlikely that the model number was buffed out.  There are a few shallow dings in the leadpipe under the "new" lacquer so this restored horn still shows a few bumps and bruises, but has a very nice overall appearance. 

The plating on the bottom sprung valves looks good, so these valves may have been replated in the past.  The compression in the 2nd and 3rd valves is very good, with some leakage in the 1st valve.  

The 56B is considered a "pea-shooter" by some with a .438 bore and was made from 1927 to 1932.  

The style of the New Era model is unmistakable.   This trumpet has the Bb/A rotor, so that makes it a 56B. (The 58B does not have the rotor).
The 58B has an underslung third valve slide and the 56B is supposed to have a third slide trigger or lever device but it has been removed from this horn.   The configuration of the slide tubes is different from the 58B, so it is not possible to simply add a 3rd slide ring, so some other modification will be needed if the third valve slide is to be used for tuning adjustments.

This trumpet has a gold brass bell.  Conn's description does not mention it and the few other 56B's that we've seen do not have a gold brass bell as this one does.  The bell has a higher copper content than the brass used for the other parts of the trumpet.

The trumpet comes with what appears to an original case which fits the the horn well.  

Here is what Conn said about this model:

  In harmony with the modern vogue for smarter lines, greater beauty, lighter weight and higher efficiency, Conn has manufactured the New Era trumpet. Besides the features of general appearance, the New Era possesses greater brilliancy of tone, velocity of performance, facility of control and ease of blowing which are equaled by few trumpets and surpassed by none. Although built with the same bore, same taper and of the same gauge and quality brass as the famous New York Symphony trumpet, 22B, the New Era possesses a scintillating brilliancy and carries power never achieved in any of our trumpets. The 56B and 58B models are alike as to general construction, except that the 56B has a rotary change to A and automatic third valve adjusting mechanism, while the 58B has plain A slides - perfect balance on both models. The New Era is fully one inch longer and one inch narrower than the older trumpets. Both features lend grace and charm to its appearance. The valves are of new and fool proof design. The New Era is unquestionably the instrument for the modern trumpet player.