1939 Olds French model Bb Trumpet

1939 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 shows up in the 1935 catalog posted on Olds Central and it is gone from the lineup by the time of the catalog listed as 1939.  

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.  

We've have the pleasure of playing several French models over the years, and when in good playing condition they are some of the best Olds we've ever played.  This trumpet is an exceptional player. 

This particular trumpet has a great vintage appearance with very little of the darkened lacquer missing; however, we suspect this trumpet was re-lacquered many years  ago.  The engraving is very sharp with no indication of buffing, but there are a few small imperfections on the valve casing which are under the lacquer.   But as noted, the lacquer has a vintage appearance so gives the indication of being original.   

The trumpet has a couple of flaws.  

There is evidence of some red rot on the outside of the leadpipe.  This is not uncommon for a horn of this vintage.  The inside of the pipe is clean so we would expect this pipe to have many years of service left.

There is some staining or plating loss on the pistons.  Typically, plating wear on these vintage Olds horns will be very dark, but these pistons have a much lighter area of wear.  Perhaps the plating is not completely worn or this is some type of staining.  However, the valve compression is very good, so there are no problems with functioning of the valves. 

All parts appear to be original to the trumpet, including the first slide saddle,  the third slide push rod, and the 3rd slide stop rod, which are often missing or have been replaced.  On early Olds trumpets, the saddle and push rod were made of hollow tubing and it is rare to have both originals on a trumpet of this vintage,  Matching serial numbers are on the valve spring barrels, valve stems and top caps. 

Comes with a vintage case that fits the trumpet well.  The French model is longer than most standard Bb trumpets, so it will not fit in all cases.  Olds used Bullwin and Lifton cases and there is not a badge in this case, but it is possibly the original case. 

FEATURES:

Nickel plated trim and brass lacquer finish

Nickel plated valves 

Bore: .460" Medium-Large Bore

Matching serial numbers on all valve pistons, spring barrels, and valve stems

Third slide stop rod

New springs, felts and corks

Single Pin Brass Valve Guides

Trombone style lever water key on tuning slide and third valve slide