Need ID on possible fake king 2b

[AngusG]

Hi all,

I recently picked up a trombone that has all the hallmarks of a king 2b Jiggs, but I'm slightly concerned it's a knockoff due to a few oddities.

Firstly there's no indication of the model of the horn on the bell, just a simple embossed king logo. I have heard that this was more common after the conn-selmer takeover, can anyone confirm this?

The second is the serial, 10286. According to lists on conn-selmer's website, if this was an HN white trombone then it would be pre 1915, which seems highly unlikely given the build and condition. However, apparently after 999,999 the serials rolled over straight to 100,xxx which would not permit the number that I have here. I’ve attached a few photos (hopefully they've linked correctly) that hopefully give a better picture.

If you have any information at all of what this might be, or when it was made, that would be hugely helpful.

Thanks!


https://flic.kr/p/2rdc6vu
https://flic.kr/p/2rdc6vE
https://flic.kr/p/2rdbZD5
https://flic.kr/p/2rdcyJj
https://flic.kr/p/2rdaXH5
https://flic.kr/p/2rdc8gd

[Chazzer69]

I had a similar question a while back. See here: viewtopic.php?p=253391&hilit=2b#p253391

[DaveAshley]

Probably a custom build.

It’s a real King.

[ithinknot]

I had a similar question a while back. See here: viewtopic.php?p=253391&hilit=2b#p253391

Yep, as I said on the linked thread, there are a decent number of these out there... the Jiggs spec as a special order before it was sold as an official model.

[AngusG]

Thank you everyone for the links, mine matches these descriptions pretty much to a T (multiple 5 digit serials, plays very sharp, simple logo, lightweight bell, trumpet water key). What an interesting find!

[tbonesullivan]

Thank you everyone for the links, mine matches these descriptions pretty much to a T (multiple 5 digit serials, plays very sharp, simple logo, lightweight bell, trumpet water key). What an interesting find!

The numbers on the slide are to match the inner and outer. The real serial should be on the bell section.

The bell section also has the infamous yellow lacquer on it, so it's definitely real.

[Chazzer69]

Thank you everyone for the links, mine matches these descriptions pretty much to a T (multiple 5 digit serials, plays very sharp, simple logo, lightweight bell, trumpet water key). What an interesting find!

Just curious, is the bell super lightweight on yours? Mine is crazy light. I'm almost afraid to handle it! I think this is a 2B Jiggs feature but not entirely sure.

[AngusG]

Thank you everyone for the links, mine matches these descriptions pretty much to a T (multiple 5 digit serials, plays very sharp, simple logo, lightweight bell, trumpet water key). What an interesting find!

Just curious, is the bell super lightweight on yours? Mine is crazy light. I'm almost afraid to handle it! I think this is a 2B Jiggs feature but not entirely sure.

Yes! It’s incredibly lightweight, and presumably per the Jiggs spec it’s also very compact. Just took it out for a gig and this made for a very comfortable play. The sound is BRIGHT.