weird tubing identification please

[oedipoes]

What is this ?
Picture from between the two world-wars, it's the only picture I have from that instrument.

Is this some kind of high-to low pitch transformation???

Wim

[petter@brasseriet.no]

I have seen such tubing on old french saxhorns. Quite strange instruments for non-france citizens, but a beloved instrument
in french symphonic bands and orchestras. I have seen 4 and 5 valve versions of these instruments. I tried a saxhorn once, first thing that hit my mind; but why don´t buy an euphonium instead? Please arrest me dear french tubenet members. I am eager to know more about your famous saxhorns!

[imperialbari]

Such loops almost always are conversions/alternatives, or they are used, where there is no other way to place too much tubing in too little space.

This instrument as said is a Saxhorn basse en Si bemol. I cannot tell whether it has 4 or 5 valves. The slides involved are the 3rd and 4th.

Many Saxhorns basses traditionally come with a two-full-steps 3rd slide. Whether the loop to the left is a conversion of an instrument originally having a minor third in that slide or an alternative, is beyond me.

My own 3+2P de Prins Saxhorn basse has a taller body, and the branches of the 3rd slide are rater far apart, which allows for a 2 steps-slide with no odd loops. Yet its 4th slide has the W-shape, which some US-maker used for their low-pitch main tuning slides during the period with double pitch-standard in the early 20th-century.

In the sample on your photo, that 4th-slide loop may be original, even if most makers don’t like that solution of having loops in the slides. Such exposed loops in slides are vulnerable, as they cannot be secured with stays, and they should better be placed inside the frame of the larger branches.

Klaus

[oedipoes]

Many Saxhorns basses traditionally come with a two-full-steps 3rd slide. Whether the loop to the left is a conversion of an instrument originally having a minor third in that slide or an alternative, is beyond me.
Klaus

I can confirm this.
I have a "Persy" 3+1 p instrument from the band, that still has the full 2 step 3rd slide.
Pretty nasty fingering.

Wim