Eb Raincatcher!

[imperialbari]

Stratford used to be the name of Besson's 3rd or 4th line instruments, but this one of course is American made.

What do the neck and the serial # tell about the maker's identity?

Klaus

[Dan Schultz]

Stratford used to be the name of Besson's 3rd or 4th line instruments, but this one of course is American made.

What do the neck and the serial # tell about the maker's identity?

Klaus

I can say that this horn IS NOT a York. I have one of those here at the moment.

The hardware and ferrules sure look like Conn. Here's a current listing for a Conn helicon of about the same era:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-LIBERTY ... 2c70ef35c3

[Tom Coffey]

Key can be hard to ascertain from pictures, but the Stratford being auctioned now looked to me as if it might be in Bb--in other words, a euphonium wound as a sousaphone.

[imperialbari]

And a Bb tenor wouldn't have had that loop below the main tunings lide.

Klaus

[windshieldbug]

The "P" prefix in the serial number would also point me towards Conn (Pan-American). If so, the number would indicate a 1927 build, and I actually have recorded a "Conn" branded Eb raincatcher built in the same year.