question about vintage Holton Trombone

[agershark2]

Hello,
My first attempt to post here. I hope this is an appropriate usage... if not, please let me know. And, my apologies, if not.

I recently purchased an antique Holton trombone at an estate sale. I'm not a trombone player, and know little about trombones, but thought is was too cool.

It is a Holton Special. Single valve. Engraving on the bell states "Holton Special / Made by / Frank Holton & Co. / Chicago".

"1897" is stamped on the lower part of the valve. At first, I assumed this was the date, but it looks like Holton didn't produce instruments until 1899? There is also a "C / 20658" stamped on the valve. "Frank Holton / Chicago / 3" is stamped on the slide. The mouthpiece is stamped "Schemmer / 23".

I can't readily find any information on a Holton with a single valve. Don't know if this is an unusual instrument, or if I just don't know where to look. If anyone has any info they can share, it would be welcome.

Thanks!
Mark

[BGuttman]

Posting a couple of pictures could help.

The only thing I can think of is a trombone in C/Bb, which would have a valve that is manual (i.e. not sprung and you would just rotate it and leave it). I saw one such instrument, but I don't think it was a Holton.

Trombones in C were often referred to as "Preacher Trombones" An instrument in C allows you to read directly from a hymnal. Here is a picture of a Conn instrument:

[spencercarran]

Check out the catalog here: https://www.saxophone.org/museum/publications/id/588 It appears Holton in Chicago did make some F attachment trombones (see endorsement from the Boston symphony trombone section), but I don't see the option in the specs or price list. Might've been a custom job?

The "3" on the slide refers to bore size, I would guess.

[agershark2]

Wasn't sure how to post pics. Will try attaching as files... and see if that works...

[BGuttman]

Looks like a 1/2 step trill valve. Commonly used by soloists.

[agershark2]

Thanks for the info. So, this is the same function as a rotary valve I see on other trombones?

And thanks for the link to the Holton catalog, and the F attachment mention. I only see a 3-valve model pictured, although picture on the last page may be a single valve... hard to tell for sure.

Any ideas on the "1897" stamping? I assume the other stamped numbers are a serial number... but that may be a bad assumption.

[BGuttman]

I know Holon made the bass trombone (with F valve) used by Leroy Kenfield. The ones used by Hampe and Mausebach were also made by Holton, but had E attachments. These date from the early 1900s. Not sure anybody was using a bass trombone with a valve before 1900.

The trill valve was a specialty item. It usually was only used by a soloist who needed to use trills in his solos. Piston valves were occasionally used for F valves, but not commonly. The ergonomics of a piston are kinda funky. Note that the piston trill valve could not easily be converted to an F-attachment.

[agershark2]

OK. Thank you for the replies.