TromboneChat

Any thoughts on this instrument?

Which one? Special was a line that included small tenors down to basses, not a specific instrument.

Looks like a straight tenor.

What's the bell diameter? Bore size? Is there a number inscribed on the slide receiver or cork barrel?

I don't have it as yet. tried to place a photo and looks like I need the help of a 10 year old! The picture in the ad is not great but from what I can see it looks pretty much unmolested.  All brass bell and slide except for some chrome around where you would hold the slide.  No counter weight and no bulges in the support arms (cross pieces) like some of the newer Collegiates have.

The Special line from Chicago would be 1904-1917 date. It could be anywhere from a very small tenor, 0.450" bore with 6" bell, up to a bass with around 0.540" bore and 9" bell. Sounds like it has the standard low-end finish, raw brass with nickel-silver trim on the handslide.

It doesn't appear to be raw brass, polished and maybe lacquered.  Apparently the case has Elkhorn printed on it but the horn has Chicago stamped on it.  I have requested another look for serial numbers or any other markings.  The bell doesn't look particularly small

It doesn't appear to be raw brass, polished and maybe lacquered.  Apparently the case has Elkhorn printed on it but the horn has Chicago stamped on it.  I have requested another look for serial numbers or any other markings.  The bell doesn't look particularly small