Early Olds Trumpet
This Olds trumpet, serial number 396, is the earliest that I have
ever owned and the earliest that I knew of when I bought it about
20 years ago. Now, thanks to the great work at The Olds
Register, we know of almost 20 with lower serial numbers than
this, including two of the first few prototypes. The factory
records show that this trumpet was made on January 4, 1932.
The record doesn't clarify if this is the date of production of the
valve section, completion of the trumpet or delivery date. It is
interesting, although not surprising that the factory was producing
less than 100 trumpets in each of the first four years since they
were introduced. Within the next three years, production was
over 500 trumpets and cornets a year. More early Olds history is
also to be found on my French Model trumpet page and in Dale
Olson's history.
This trumpet appears to be very similar to the earliest two
trumpets, although this is marked "LM" rather than the "M" on
the others. The bore is the same in each case, .453", but
according to the catalog descriptions, the bell is larger on this
"LM" model. The overall length with mouthpiece removed is 19
5/16" (19" from bell rim to bell curve) and the bell rim diameter is
4 9/16". This trumpet has been refinished in silver with gold
inside the bell. While showing signs of being polished very
heavily on the valve section, we are very fortunate that the bell
engraving is quite clear.
The last two photos on the left are of the Raymond Ave. factory
that Olds moved into in 1922 to expand production of trombones.
The artists rendering is from the 1939 catalogue titled "The
Selection of an Instrument". By that time, they had expanded into
a warehouse to the north (left in these pictures). The second
image is the same building today. If it is the same palm tree to the
right of the facade that just reaches the roof in 1939, it appears
twice the height today. Some day, I will make a trip down there
on a work day and see if the current resident would agree to me
snooping around inside for any remnants of the previous tenant.
Click on images to see larger view.
ever owned and the earliest that I knew of when I bought it about
20 years ago. Now, thanks to the great work at The Olds
Register, we know of almost 20 with lower serial numbers than
this, including two of the first few prototypes. The factory
records show that this trumpet was made on January 4, 1932.
The record doesn't clarify if this is the date of production of the
valve section, completion of the trumpet or delivery date. It is
interesting, although not surprising that the factory was producing
less than 100 trumpets in each of the first four years since they
were introduced. Within the next three years, production was
over 500 trumpets and cornets a year. More early Olds history is
also to be found on my French Model trumpet page and in Dale
Olson's history.
This trumpet appears to be very similar to the earliest two
trumpets, although this is marked "LM" rather than the "M" on
the others. The bore is the same in each case, .453", but
according to the catalog descriptions, the bell is larger on this
"LM" model. The overall length with mouthpiece removed is 19
5/16" (19" from bell rim to bell curve) and the bell rim diameter is
4 9/16". This trumpet has been refinished in silver with gold
inside the bell. While showing signs of being polished very
heavily on the valve section, we are very fortunate that the bell
engraving is quite clear.
The last two photos on the left are of the Raymond Ave. factory
that Olds moved into in 1922 to expand production of trombones.
The artists rendering is from the 1939 catalogue titled "The
Selection of an Instrument". By that time, they had expanded into
a warehouse to the north (left in these pictures). The second
image is the same building today. If it is the same palm tree to the
right of the facade that just reaches the roof in 1939, it appears
twice the height today. Some day, I will make a trip down there
on a work day and see if the current resident would agree to me
snooping around inside for any remnants of the previous tenant.
Click on images to see larger view.
