Pan American 68B C, Bb & A "Classroom" Model
Date: 1931-1948. Owned by Mike Pawul
The Pan American 68B C, Bb &A has a #½ (0.425") bore and was produced between 1931 and roughly 1948. Notice the double brace on the main tuning slide. Since this is an instrument that has "extra slides to Bb and A", the main tuning slide comes apart in two sections with the sectionwith the braces being removable to give a C trumpet. The "finish 4 listed below is described as "Highly polished brass. Engraving design on bell". "Finish 2" is "Satin silver, brunished engraving and burnished gold inside bell".
The name "Classroom" model appears in a 1935 catalog from the Fischer music company. There is every reason to believe that the names, pictures and descriptions are the same as they would appear in Pan American publications from 1935. The 1938 Pan American brochure doesn't have that name with the 64B, so perhaps it was dropped at some point. This particular 68B is engraved "Wurlitzer" on the bell.
What Pan American said in 1935:
For home or church use, and to play from piano, vocal or violin music without transposing, the "Classroom" Trumpet is ideal.
It is built in C with extra slides to B[b] and A.
18 inches long - 4½ inch bell. Weight 2¼ pounds.
68-B-4. Polished brass
68-B-2. Satin silver, gold bell
What Pan American said in 1936:
Built in C with extra slides to Bb and A. Gracefully designed and sturdily constructed. Note strong bracing, new valve caps
and finger tips. Complete in Gladstone type case shown below.
Fin. 4. Complete, $52.50. Inst. only $41.50. Case only, $13.00
Fin. 2. Complete, $62.50. Inst. only $51.50. Case only, $13.00