1905 Conn trombone question

[Trombonium69]

I am new to the forum, having started playing trombone as an adult after seeing my husband and daughter having fun with the trumpets - thought I'd round out the sound. My daughter is now in her first year of teaching music at a small rural school and she has a trombone which she was wondering if anyone would be able to help with the history of it. Since I can't attach pics, I have included two links (that hopefully work). It is a Conn with serial #91474. It was at the school when she got there and the engraving is interesting. She looked up the band named in the engraving but didn't find too much on it. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!

[BGuttman]

Nice old instrument.

The mouthpiece doesn't fit properly. Mouthpieces for horns that old generally are shorter with a smaller shank Probably a very small bore as well; maybe the same bore as your family's trumpets.

I can't help identify the instrument, but there's a trove of information on the Conn Loyalist Web Site (you'll have to look it up).

[Trombonium69]

Thanks for the reply. I didn't look close enough at the mouthpiece, I guess it would take a bit of looking to find the right sized one. When I head out there next, I'll see if I can get a good look at the trombone.

As a side note, she was mentioning to the principal before about the age and conditions of the school instruments. Once she found out about this one and told the principal it was from 1905, he later said that there were two grants she could have, one for percussion and one for other instruments, to help with replacements/repairs. She was glad she did the research on it.

[BGuttman]

I think that trombone belongs polished up and on display. It's no daily driver any more, and I'd hate to see it trashed by a kid with no appreciation for what it is. The mouthpiece should be useful provided the silver plate is good on the rim.

The style of trombone used a century and a quarter ago is very different from what you would use today. This one has no bell lock or slide lock. Inner slide is either nickel plated or bare brass with a soldered on stocking so even at its best the slide action will be rough. The small bore will sound rather shrill, although you might never notice that on a beginner.

Sad part is, these things have almost no value unless you can prove that somebody famous played it. Also useless unless played in a band with period instruments, and nobody I know of is playing a 1900's band.