TromboneChat

Hello all --

I recently acquired a very old trombone made by Olds. I don't generally shop for antique trombones, but I loved the look of this one and it still plays incredibly well.

If possible, I'm hoping someone can help me tell me the year and line of the instrument, because I'm having trouble researching it myself. It seems it may be different pieces of different instruments, frankly.

The slide seems to have been made sometime in the 1920s and potentially the bell is a 30's Super with the bear counterweight? I have no clue and any knowledge would be helpful.

Here are some photos: https://imgur.com/a/TsT8Lio

As far as I can tell, the serial on the slide says "2146" and the inscription on the bell says:

Made by
The Olds
Los Angeles
Cal
PAT A22-2-1912

Any advice?

I hope John L, our resident Olds expert will chime in.

First, the second line of the engraving reads F E Olds.
The Patent is Apr

This is the original Olds model. I have one from about 1925. Somewhere on either the slide or the bell tenon there should be a serial number; probably 4 digits.

You are right, these instruments are wonderful players.

They were originally sold without counterweights and many customers bought after market ones. Not many bought a bear. I believe the bear counterweight came out late in the production.