Title: Double Bell Euphonium

Maker: C. G. Conn

Model: American Model

Date: c. 1890

Geography: Elkhart, Indiana and Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Material: Brass

Serial Number: 26644

Accession Number: GL-109_A9-03

Provenance: Founding Greenleaf Donation from Conn Museum, 1969

Description

Key: B-flat

Pitch: High

Bell Orientation: Bell Up (smaller bell is front-facing)

Finish: Silver-plated

Lacquer: Yes (except for the smaller bell)

Engraving: Engraved bell with “MADE BY / CONN / ELKHART, IND. / & / WORCESTER, / MASS.” surrounded by a three-leaved plant pattern. Both the foliage and text are engraved with zigzag lines.

Mouthpiece: Yes (H. N. White Company mouthpiece)

Accessories: No

Case: No

Notes:

Five front-action piston valves
Mother-of-pearl valve caps
The smaller bell is detachable.
This instrument is described in a 1890 “C. G. Conn of Worcester, Mass.” catalog of “Wonder and American Model Instruments”. It was called an “American Model Euphonium with Trombone Bell” with the following description:
- The Trombone bell can be removed by the performer when desired, and the entire instrument is complete in every respect, with water keys and every accessory necessary to make it first-class. The valve action of this instrument is the lightest and most perfect ever manufactured, and the fourth valve can be used by the performer with either hand. The novelty of the double-bell instrument makes it attractive to the performer, and its value to bands that do not always have first-class Trombone players, cannot be over-estimated. By the use of the trombone bell when trombone solos are needed, the performer can supply the deficiency. It really gives the band the benefit of two soloists, for the double-bell instrument is equally good as either Euphonium or Trombone. (Source: saxophone.org)