Improved Cornet and Trumpet Recognition Guide
Version 1.2, 03 October 2010
Introduction
I have noticed that correctly identifying Conn cornets and trumpets can still be a tricky business. Sometimes it is
even difficult to distinguish a cornet from a trumpet. In this "Improved Conn Cornet and Trumpet Recognition Guide"
I will attempt to provide a method of identifying Conn cornets and trumpets based on a series of simple steps.
Conn Cornet and Trumpet Recognition Guide
Follow the steps below in order and follow directions indicated as "go to...". This guide assumes the instrument
is a Conn and is engraved as such. Don't use this guide for stencils, Pan American instruments or instruments
suspected to be a Conn but not engraved as such.
A. Sorting out the serial numbers
Find the serial number. It should be stamped on the 2nd valve. All letters and digits in the serial number are relevant,
especially letters or digits followed by a space followed by several more letters or digits.
1. Does the serial number begin with the letter G, followed by another letter and then followed by 6 digits?
YES: Go to this link
NO: Continue with step 2.
2. Does the serial number begin with the letter H, followed by another letter and then followed by 6 (not 5) digits?
YES: Go to this link
NO: Continue with step 3.
3. Does the serial number consist of 7 digits, beginning with two digits between 37 and 45?
YES: Go to this link
NO: Continue with step 4.
4. Does the serial number begin with the digit 5, followed by either a space or a dash, followed by another 6 digits?
YES: Go to this link
NO: Continue with step 5.
5. Does the serial number begin with the letters P, R or S, followed by another 5 digits (no space)?
YES: Go to this link
NO: Continue with step 6.
6. If the serial number is between 0 and 169,999 then go to to section B
If the serial number is between 170,000 and 229,999 then go to section C
If the serial number is between 230,000 and 399,999 then go to section D
If the serial number is between 400,000 and 499,999 then go to section E
If the serial number is between 500,000 and 699,999 then go to section F
If the serial number is between 700,000 and N99,999 then go to section G
B. Serials 0 - 169,999
The instrument is almost certainly a cornet; very, very few trumpets were made during that period. Instruments
during this period didn't have model numbers, only model names. The name of the model should be engraved on
top of the bell, probably something along the lines of "Wonder", "New Wonder", "Wonderphone", "Connqueror", "Improved
Connqueror", "Improved Wonderphone", or a variation thereof. There are a few others.
--End--
C. Serials 170,000 - 229,999
1. Do you need to hold the instrument bell up or bell down to read the serial number?
BELL DOWN: Go to this link
BELL UP: Continue with step 2.
2. An instruments with a so-called "Opera Glass tuning slide" (upside down U with a knob between player and first valve)
is a Victor cornet. Most likely a model 80A, although there were several variations such as the 82A, 84A, 86A, 90A, 4A,
6A. The main difference is in the bore size.
Trumpets during this period are very difficult to identify, since all models looked the same. If you contact me
I can try to identify the instrument, but don't hold your breath. I will be asking you about bore size.
--End--
D. Serials 230,000 - 399,999
1. Do you need to hold the instrument bell up or bell down to read the serial number?
BELL DOWN: Go to this link
BELL UP: Continue with step 2.
2. Is there a model name engraved on the top (not the side) of the bell?
YES: Go to this link
NO: Continue with step 3.
3. Turn the instrument upside down. Look at the mouthpiece receiver (since the instrument is upside down, this is the underside of the mouthpiece receiver!). There will be a model number stamped there. This is what it should look like:
Of course the model number in the picture is an example. Your model number might well be different.
No model number? Look again under a bright light, use a magnifying glass. It's there.
You are very sure there is no model number there.
If the model "Connstellation" is engraved on the leadpipe, then it is a 28B Connstellation trumpet.
If not, it could be this (rare, so unlikely) model: 8B Symphony Grand (Gustat).
That model comes with and without the first slide trigger. Finishes (lacquer, silver plate, gold plate, engraving) can vary of course.
If it isn't that EXACT model, then go to this link
E. Serials 400,000 - 499,999
1. Turn the instrument upside down. Look at the mouthpiece receiver (since the instrument is upside down, this is the underside of the mouthpiece receiver!). There might be a model number stamped there. This is what it should look like:
Of course the model number in the picture is an example. Your model number might well be different. You might need a bright light and magnifying glass to see it.
YES: Look the model up in the model number lists or the "What do the cornets/trumpets look like" pages.NO: Continue with step 2.
2. Is there a model name engraved on the top (not the side) of the bell?
YES: Go to this link
NO: Continue with step 3.
3. Is there a model name engraved on the side of the leadpipe?
YES: Continue with step 4.
NO: Go to section D.
4. Is the model name engraved on the leadpipe "Director"?
YES: Go to step 5.
NO: Go to step 6.
5. If the leadpipe enters the first valve, closest to the player, then it is a cornet. If it has a brass bell,
it is a model 14A cornet, if it has a coprion bell then it is a model 18A cornet.
If the leadpipe enters the third valve, furthest from the player, then it is a trumpet. If it has a brass bell,
it is a model 14B trumpet, if it has a coprion bell then it is a model 18B trumpet.
6. Is the model name engraved on the leadpipe "Connquest"?
YES: Go to step 7.
NO: Go to step 8.
7. If the leadpipe enters the first valve, closest to the player, then it is a cornet, model 20A.
If the leadpipe enters the third valve, furthest from the player, then it is a trumpet, model 20B.
8. Is the model name engraved on the leadpipe "Connstellation"?
YES: It is a 28B Connstellation trumpet.
NO: Please e-mail me with details.
F. Serials 500,000 - 699,999
1. Do you need to hold the instrument bell up or bell down to read the serial number?
BELL DOWN: Continue with step 2.
BELL UP: Go to this link
2. Is there a model name engraved on the top (not the side) of the bell?
YES: Go to this link
NO: Continue with step 3.
3. Is there a model name engraved on the leadpipe?
YES: Continue with step 4.
NO: Go to this link
4. If the name on the leadpipe is:
Connstellation: 1955 28A (early model) cornet
Connstellation A: 1956 or 1957 28A (early model) cornet
Connstellation B: 1956 or 1957 38B (early model) trumpet
Victor A: brass bell 6A (early model) cornet, coprion bell 10A (early model) cornet
Victor B: brass bell 6B (early model) trumpet, coprion bell 10B (early model) trumpet
Victor (no letter): Opera glass tuning slide (upside down U with knob between 1st valve and player): 80A cornet, else 22B trumpet.
Connquest: Main tuning slide facing towards player: 77A cornet. Main tuning slide facing towards bell: 77B trumpet.
Director: Does the leadpipe enter the the first valve, closest to the player, or does the leadpipe enter the 3rd valve,
furthest from the player?
FIRST VALVE: If it has a brass bell, it is a model 14A cornet, if it has a coprion bell then it is a model 18A cornet.
THIRD VALVE: If it has a brass bell, it is a model 14B trumpet, if it has a coprion bell then it is a model 18B trumpet.
G. Serials 700,000 - N99,999
1. Do you need to hold the instrument bell up or bell down to read the serial number?
BELL DOWN: Continue with step 2.
BELL UP: Go to this link
2. Is there a model name engraved on the top (not the side) of the bell?
YES: Go to this link
NO: Continue with step 3.
3. Is there a model name engraved on the leadpipe?
YES: Continue with step 4.
NO: Continue with step 5.
4. If the name on the leadpipe is:
Victor: If there is an opera glass tuning slide (upside down U with knob between 1st valve and player): 80A cornet. If from the mouthpiece the leadpipe loops around into the first valve (closest to the player), then it is a 5A is it has a brass bell or a 9A if it has a copper colored bell. Else it is probably a 22B trumpet. There are a few other Victor models such as the 2A cornet, 35B D trumpet, 34B alto trumpet and 4B bass trumpet.
Connquest: If the leadpipe enters the first valve, closest to the player, then it is a 76A, cornet.
If the leadpipe enters the third valve, furthest from the player, then it is a 77B trumpet.
Director: Does the leadpipe enter the the first valve, closest to the player, or does the leadpipe enter the 3rd valve,
furthest from the player?
FIRST VALVE: If it has a brass bell, it is a model 14A or 15A cornet, if it has a coprion bell then it is a model 17A or 18A cornet.
THIRD VALVE: If it has a brass bell, it is a model 14B or 15B trumpet, if it has a coprion bell then it is a model 17B or 18B trumpet.
5. Is the model name "Connstellation" engraved on the side of the bell?
YES: Go to step 6.
NO: Go to step 7.
6. On the side of the mouthpiece receiver there should be stamped a letter "A" or "B".
LETTER A: 28A (late model) cornet.
LETTER B: 36B or 38B (late model) trumpet. The 36B has a 4 5/8" bell, the 38B has a 5" or 5 1/8" bell.
7. On the side of the mouthpiece receiver there should be stamped a letter "A" or "B".
LETTER A: brass bell 6A (late model) cornet, coprion bell 10A (late model) cornet.
LETTER B: brass bell 6B (late model) trumpet, coprion bell 10B (late model) trumpet.