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Good afternoon, TubeNetters:

I have an old E-Flat tuba that I'm currently playing in a Civil War reenactment band. I actually acquired this old horn for free when in high school; it was donated to our program from an attic and our teacher had no use for it, so she turned it over to me. With a little repair it is now playable.

I'm wondering who made it, and when. It plays pretty well in tune at modern pitch with the slides set as shown in the photos. The receiver accepts a bass trombone shank reasonably well (as you can see I'm currently using a G&W Chinook in it) but it's actually closer to a euphonium medium shank receiver, I think, as the Chinook sits out a little far.

Overall height is 29.5" and the bell is 11.75" in diameter. The engraving reads "Henry Pourcelle, Paris" which, according to my internet research, was a standalone instrument manufacturer for a while and later became a trade name of Bruno in NY. The only other markings are the "1" "2" and "3" on the valves, and a small "L" and a diamond above the entry port on the second casing. The only parts not original, to my knowledge, are the finger buttons.

I know many of you are far more knowledgeable than I in identifying old horns, so I was hoping someone would know by whom and approximately when this horn was made.

Thanks, folks!

Well, it seemingly isn't pre-1880's, due to the spit-key, which looks original to the horn. I'll look around in some databases I have; I, too, play in a CW band and am fortunate to have a wonderful tuba from 1865.

"Pourcelle was a trade name for the Bruno Company The Bruno Company was established in New York in 1834 In 1868, the Company used C. Bruno and Son as its name. After the turn of the 20th Century, the company began using trade names including: Lafayette, Paris; Perfackton; Perfection; Henry Pourcelle, Paris; La Vesta; Vocotone."
--from HornGuys catalog

Just looking at your horn, I would estimate early 20th century, maybe very late 19th, certainly not pre-1880's.

Thanks for the help!

I had assumed early 1900s. I certainly didn't think it was an authentic period instrument, though the timbre is certainly closer than my Rudy CC or 45S-LP would be! The director of the group seems happy enough with it, for now...

I guess I was really wondering if it's closer to 1900 or 1950. Probably no way to tell without a serial number of any kind, though I was hoping the design/construction cues would be enlightening to someone on here.

The wrap of the valve block with its open bends of relatively small bore tubing has been seen from VMI until at least 1995. And before that from B&S on piston instruments. But then I don't remember seing that type of water key spring used for instruments made after WWII.

The ring brace for the receiver must be quite unique, only I cannot tell from which maker.

Klaus