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For years I've questioned whether the CSO Yorks were originally made with a 5th valve. I believe it was a later addition. Historically, there are no CC instruments that I've encountered of that vintage with a 5th. And in studying the photo of the original owner with the horn I don't see conclusive visual evidence of the existance of the valve. Does anyone know more about this topic?

Close - it was replaced - Here's the section from Arnold Jacobs Song and Wind:
"At one point, York number one developed a problem. “I was playing the Powerama [a large exposition displaying America’s technological achievements], and between shows took my horn to Lyon-Healy. I asked them to patch the leadpipe, as it was leaking. When I returned, they had replaced the leadpipe. They looked for the old one, but it had already gone out with the trash.â€

[quote="brianf"]Close - it was replaced - Here's the section from Arnold Jacobs Song and Wind:
"At one point, York number one developed a problem. “I was playing the Powerama [a large exposition displaying America’s technological achievements], and between shows took my horn to Lyon-Healy. I asked them to patch the leadpipe, as it was leaking. When I returned, they had replaced the leadpipe. They looked for the old one, but it had already gone out with the trash.â€

Here's some very convincing evidence that York was indeed putting 5th valves on instruments of the CSO CC's vintage. This is a photo of a horn owned by John Taylor that was photographed by Scott Mendoker. I'm confident that it is all original York. Judging from the little extra loop that can be added to the 3rd valve, it was intended to be played as a BBb also. It was pretty common to see trumpets and cornets that had a rotary valve that changed them from Bb to A. It makes sense that a few tubas were constructed with somewhat the same feature. I think Bloke's observation about the role of the 5th valve is right on the mark. Special thanks to Scott and the rest of you for the great information and response.