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Bass slide trombone in B-flat/F
Bass slide trombone in B-flat/F
Bass slide trombone in B-flat/F

Bass slide trombone in B-flat/F

ALTERNATE NAME(S)
  • Tenorbass posaune
  • "Tenor-bass" trombone
Date1910-1915 ca.
Place MadeLeipzig, Germany, Europe
Serial No.9084
SignedEngraved on garland: [crown] / R. Schopper / Instrumentenbauanstalt / Leipzig / Hoflieferant
MarkingsStamped on bottom valve cap, rotor bearing, and valve casing: 45
Two small alignment dots stamped on the tuning slide of valve attachment.
DescriptionBrass slide and bell sections with nickel-silver trim. This instrument has an extra working slide of similar design. Valve attachment with single rotary valve for F extension (Quartventil; lowers a fourth) with spring return mechanism on crank device, string linkage, leather thumb-loop actuation, and valve protector brace. The original slide and bell sections have nickel-silver snake ornaments at bow guards. Nickel-silver garland with Saxon rim, embossed shells, and oak leave-and-fruit engravings. Single bore slide section. Slightly dual bore on extra slide. Simple friction slides with no locking mechanism and first position bumper springs. Tuning slide on valve attachment of bell section. Each slide has one water key of different design.
Dimensions- Assembled footprint (LxHxW): 1205 x 290 x 240mm (with original slide); 1193 x 290 x 240mm (with extra slide)
- Slide max. length: 926mm (original slide); 902mm (extra slide)
- Bell max. length: 645mm
- Bell diameter: 234mm
- Tube length: 2729mm (with original slide in B-flat); 3722mm (with original slide in F); 2704mm (with extra slide in B-flat); 3697mm (with extra slide in F)
- Minimum bore at mouthpiece receiver: 12.3mm (original slide); 13.2mm (extra slide)
- Bore at inner slides: 13.7mm (original slide); 13.2mm / 13.8mm (extra slide, dual bore)
- Bore at slide tenon (taper): 13mm (original slide); 13.6mm (extra slide)
- Bore at bell receiver: 14.7mm
- Bore at tuning slide of valve attachment: 14.8mm

ProvenanceDonated by Angela Schmeltekopf, Oak Park, Illinois, 2024.
Former collection of trombonist Gerhart Alan Schmeltekopf (1941-2022).
Published ReferencesAna Silva, "New Acquisitions: Two Early Trombones," National Music Museum Newsletter 49 No. 1 (Spring 2025), p.4.

"Trumpets, Clarinets, and Trombones!" (National Music Museum Newsletter 49 No. 1 (Spring 2025), p. 6.
Credit LineGift of Angela Schmeltekopf, 2024
Object number15807
On View
Not on view
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