I received a text message today from Don Harry re. a horn he just acquired. I met him midway at a local repairman's (he is pictured with the horn) shop--and WOW!!!! The Chief's Raincatcher-#2!!
A year or so ago I asked on this forum about the Chief's Raincatcher (John Kuhn of the Sousa Band & Isham Jones)---someone posted pics of a raincatcher horn that a person somewhere near Chicago has engraved with an Indian Chief--it was a Buescher BBb raincatcher that was to have been used by Kuhn.
Well, today, we can say there are TWO Chief horns! This BBb horn pictured is a Holton of Elkhorn, with a serial number dating it to 1931, that is gold plated with 3 'short action' piston valves. It also has a type of 'grime gutter' on the bottom of the pistons--like some early Conn instruments had--very interesting. An incredible engraving of an Indian Chief with peace pipes on each side with 'THE CHIEF' above the engraving. The horn is in amazing condition--and the valves are like new. Don had a 'Chief' mouthpiece on it, and I did play it--amazing the way the horn plays and sounds. Don is a very very happy person--the horn is now his and it couldn't have a better home. He will use this with the New Sousa Band sometime in the future. Enjoy the pics.
Regards-
mark jones
