Conn 14B Director
Date: 1956. Owner unknown.
Notice the unusual diagonal tuning slide brace, and the lack of a third slide and finger ring. From the picture it would appear that there is a cap at the end to allow for cleaning. This is the regular version of the 18B Director with coprion bell. A 1959 catalog shows a picture of a 14B that has straight cross braces and is equipped with a 3rd slide finger ring. The 1959 version also has the (what I call) 60's style valve caps, making it very difficult to tell the difference with the later 15B Director. As far as I can tell the only (easily) visible difference is in the style of the 3rd slide finger ring, which on the 1959 14B is a bit "clunkier" than is common on other Conn cornets and trumpet. Possibly the 1959 14B is a transitional model between the "classic" 14B Director pictured here and the later 15B Director which appeared in 1960.
What Conn said in 1956:
Exactly like the 18B, except bell is high-quality brass instead of Coprion. Adjustable valve and
tuning slides are precision-fit for easy pull. Crysteel valves consistently give fast, smooth action.
Length 21½", weight 2 lbs. 13 oz., bell diameter 4 5/8".
Outfit includes handsome new Director case, plus music lyre and correct mouthpiece.
Highly polished brass, beautifully nickel trimmed, clear lacquered overall.