Conn 6H - can't find a serial number

[3rdChair22]

I am test driving a Conn 6H but I can't find a serial number on it anywhere.

The bell just has 6H above the nut where you attach the hand slide and the bell engraving says CONN USA with the 3 marching band guys and standard decorative engraving.

The only engraving on the hand slide is 6-HD02.

The hand slide is gold lacquer color instead of nickel.

Any ideas on how to date this horn?

[BGuttman]

Abilene Conns (1972 - c.1980) sometimes don't have a serial number. I had a Director with that same issue. Does it play OK?

[hyperbolica]

The serial might be on one of the braces, or sometimes they put it on the top of the handslide, in the portion that gets hidden in the cork barrel, so if you move the slide down a couple of inches and look at the top end of the bottom tube. Can you post an image of the bell engraving? You might have to put up another post to be able to post images.

[3rdChair22]

Abilene Conns (1972 - c.1980) sometimes don't have a serial number. I had a Director with that same issue. Does it play OK?

It plays well.

[3rdChair22]

The serial might be on one of the braces, or sometimes they put it on the top of the handslide, in the portion that gets hidden in the cork barrel, so if you move the slide down a couple of inches and look at the top end of the bottom tube. Can you post an image of the bell engraving? You might have to put up another post to be able to post images.

I have checked all the braces and not found anything. I have also moved the slide down to see if it might be hidden at the top of the tube and no luck there either.

I will see if I can post some pictures.

[3rdChair22]

See attachments for screenshots of the bell, and slide.

[Thrawn22]

Last time i saw a slide like that it came with a 5G.

[jacobgarchik]

Elkhart 6hs have diamond shaped connections for where the braces connect on the tuning slide. also lower down where the braces meet the bell. 70s Abilene 6hs have oval shaped ones. Not sure exactly when they switched over (or if they ever switched back?!?)

Screen Shot 2023-02-23 at 2.58.42 PM.png

Screen Shot 2023-02-23 at 3.00.43 PM.png

Screen Shot 2023-02-23 at 3.00.51 PM.png

Screen Shot 2023-02-23 at 3.01.05 PM.png

[3rdChair22]

Thanks Jacbgarchik. The bell with this horn has diamond shaped connections.