1935 Olds French model Bb Trumpet

1935 Olds French model  Bb trumpet  

The Olds French model was the top of the line model for Olds trumpets in the mid 1930's.  It is introduced in the catalog that has an estimated publication date of 1935, then it appears again in the 1937 catalog but is gone from the lineup by the time of the catalog listed as 1939 is published.  There has been some speculation that the Recording model Super Trumpet (aka Super Recording) replaced the French model, but neither is in the 1939 catalog, so there is no direct correlation between these two models, other than they were the top of the line for Olds in their own eras.  

Similar to the Super Recording being a variation of the Super the French model was a variation of the Olds (or Standard) model.  It is a Large Medium bore (Olds terminology at the time for a .460 bore) and has a traditional Besson style wrap and configuration.  

This particular trumpet appears to have been restored in the distant past.  The lacquer is largely intact, but is does show some wear.  Although not referenced in the catalogs, some early Olds trumpets had bells with a higher copper than the rest of the horn, so the bell is more of a gold brass.  Not to the level of the later Recording model, but definitely more copper than traditional yellow brass.   The engraving is sharp and crisp, so the horn was not buffed heavily in the process.  

The compression was very low in the third valve, so we had Charlie Melk replate/refit this valve and perform a precision valve alignment.   The spring barrel on the third valve is nickel silver and the other two are brass, but all three have the serial number stamped on them with the same font.

We've had several French models over the years and this one is the best player of all that we've run across.  We've generally found that the Olds trumpets that had the gold brass bells were excellent players, so perhaps there is a correlation.

Comes with the original case in very good condition

FEATURES:  

• Nickel plated trim and brass lacquer finish 
• Nickel plated valves  
• Gold brass bell
• Bore: .460" Medium-Large Bore 
• Matching serial numbers on all valve piston spring barrels,  valve stems, and top caps
• Third slide stop rod 
• Single Pin Brass Valve Guides 
• Trombone style lever water key on tuning slide and third valve slide