Silver 1946 FA Reynolds s/n9310

[Xcomunic8d]

Aloha,

I’m a new member. Been playing since I was about 10yrs old. 36 years later I’m still playing. I just got a horn for my son.

It’s a FA Reynolds silver the s/n tracks to 1946. Looks like the ww2 horns but the person who’s shipping it to me states there is no US stamped on the bell. I found a list of horns on brass history this one wasn’t listed. Any help on history would be appreciated. I plan to polish and clean it up and restore the case. I have a wood shop as a side thing.

[BGuttman]

There are a number of Reynolds trombones. There was a student model whose name I don't know. There is the Contempora, the Argenta, and the Onyx. I have a nice one with an F-attachment that reminds me of one we had back when I was in High School (it wasn't assigned to me).

These were well-made instruments. The Contempora and Argenta were pro horns, but all played very well.

[NotSkilledHere]

If/when you can post pictures, that would really help, but from what you are telling me, it is just a normal Professional Model 70 that is silver plated.

Reynolds made the Model 70 pre-war and then made the military horns which are also Professional Model 70's just with the US stamp on it. and post war starting in 46, they continued to make the Professional Model 70 in the same braces/pattern but just with simplified/different engraving patterns. That lasted through 49 after which they braces changed to resemble that of the Olds Supers and Recordings. Previously, the sterling silver Professional Model 70 was not differentiated, but in 1949 and onwards, along with the refresh, the sterling silver horns became the Professional Model 71

there is no real difference between the post-49 horns and pre-49 horns in terms of quality. if anything, there's more bell sizes and bore options pre-49 with 7", 7.25", and 7.5" bell options and 0.480 and 0.500 bore options. post-49 there is only the 7.5" bell and .500 bore (as standard; perhaps a few custom horns rolled off the line). The only true change is the bell braces and engravings. I'm not sure if the tenon/receiver are different, but both pre and post-49 horns are fantastic.

These are often overlooked for the Contempora, Argenta, and Onyx, which are newer and higher-trimmed horns, but they are not "worse." It should be a fine horn for your son! Enjoy!

[Xcomunic8d]

It was a Salvation Army find…$35.

This is all I have for now. I’m curious how many non US horns were made during this time period. It’s got a 7.25” bell and I’ll measure the bore. I’m looking forward to playing this. Even though it’s primarily for my son to learn on.

I’ve found pics of sn8196 and sn13373 both us horns for ww2. I suppose they sold normal horns during the war too. I’ll know more in a week or two. Any other way to figure out its history?





I’ll polish it up and see. I’m guessing they didn’t clear coat over the silver? If so anybody know what kind? Lacquer doesn’t make much sense to me but I’m trying to preserve it’s authenticity and sound tones.

[BGuttman]

There was no civilian production during the War years (1942-1945). Something with a serial dating to 1946 would not be for the war effort -- the war was over.

I'm only aware of King using clear lacquer over silver bells, and that's after the 1940s. My guess is that the finish is "raw" silver plate and can be de-tarnished with any good silver polish. If the tarnish isn't too deep, use a liquid -- they tend to be less aggressive on the plating. Very deep tarnish may need the baking soda and aluminum foil treatment.

[JohnL]

Have you checked out Contempora Corner? Lots of good Reynolds info there.

In particular, this page and this page have information regarding war production and "US"-marked instruments.

[NotSkilledHere]

It was a Salvation Army find…$35.

This is all I have for now. I’m curious how many non US horns were made during this time period. It’s got a 7.25” bell and I’ll measure the bore. I’m looking forward to playing this. Even though it’s primarily for my son to learn on.

I’ve found pics of sn8196 and sn13373 both us horns for ww2. I suppose they sold normal horns during the war too. I’ll know more in a week or two. Any other way to figure out its history?





I’ll polish it up and see. I’m guessing they didn’t clear coat over the silver? If so anybody know what kind? Lacquer doesn’t make much sense to me but I’m trying to preserve it’s authenticity and sound tones.

I'm not sure if/how many non-military horns were made during the war, but they were awarded several contracts which made them a "source" for the military during the war. which made them exempt from other directives that prevented other companies from producing horns. They were allowed to continue to produce band instruments during those war years. their military contracts extended past the war for some time though. I forget until when off the top of my head.

That is a Reynolds Professional Model 70 in silver plate for sure. $35 is a killer find price! Congratulations!!

Most companies that silver plate horns do not clear coat over it, even in the modern day. Just gently polish it with silver polish

[Xcomunic8d]

What’s really got my head in knots is the contempora site showing ww2 horns sn8196 and sn13373. Before and after mine showing as ww2 horns with the US stamp on them. According to that contempora site they state ww2 supply horns were in production from 40-52 which makes sense as contracts probably went well beyond the war.

Only a few options I can see this horn is this sn in the middle of the numbers above. 1. They must have made horns 1 order at a time. Meaning this is a non-war horn that was made in between those serial numbers. A distinct likelihood but not really an efficient manufacturing process. 2. They changed the engravings or the machine was broken that day or were in a time crunch. 3. The US was removed, buffed off, or just hidden under tarnish according to seller.

Regardless I’ll keep you guys updated. Shipping is going to be slow from the east coast to Hawaii where I live….

[UATrombone]

I'm not familiar with the Reynolds numbering but if serial# is only on handslide it's possible that previous owner swap the bell section.

[JohnL]

What’s really got my head in knots is the contempora site showing ww2 horns sn8196 and sn13373. Before and after mine showing as ww2 horns with the US stamp on them. According to that contempora site they state ww2 supply horns were in production from 40-52 which makes sense as contracts probably went well beyond the war.

Only a few options I can see this horn is this sn in the middle of the numbers above. 1. They must have made horns 1 order at a time. Meaning this is a non-war horn that was made in between those serial numbers. A distinct likelihood but not really an efficient manufacturing process. 2. They changed the engravings or the machine was broken that day or were in a time crunch. 3. The US was removed, buffed off, or just hidden under tarnish according to seller.

4. The war ended and Reynolds switched back to production for the civilian market. At some later time, they received another order from the military, so they made more US-marked instruments.

There are more complicated scenarios involving "stop work" orders, disposition of "work-in-progress", "government-owned equipment", and settlement of cancelled contracts, but I don't feel like spending that much time typing.

The number of contracts that were cancelled when the war ended in kind of mind-boggling. In some cases, shipyard workers went from working on building a ship to working on scrapping it.

Something similar happened, though on a vastly smaller scale, when the Cold War ended. I got to experience that first hand.