Hoping to find info on Topper Euphonium

[jacobthompson1]

Hello,
I ran across a horn at an estate sale that played decently and got it. However, I can't find any information on its history or brand. It's engraved "Topper" and "Made in U.S.A." on the back of the bell. As far as I can tell, it appears to be an American-style euphonium similar to some Conns and Kings (3 front action pistons with a front facing bell). I measure the bore ID at the valves to be about 0.55". Does anyone know about this brand or its horns?





Thanks,

Jacob
Meinl Weston 2011FA BBb HoJo
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[RickF]

Welcome to the forum Jacob. Sorry, I’ve not heard of that brand before. You’re right in that it surely resembles a King or Conn. I think though their bore was .562. Did you measure the bore by pulling out the 2nd slide then measure where that slide goes into?

[jacobthompson1]

Thanks Rick. When measuring the way you described, the bore is 0.59". I was measuring the ID of the inner tube before.

[davewerden]

It's not a brand I've heard of, and I can't find anything about it online. Many music stores used to have horns made with their own label, but that may or may not be the case here.

The standard way to measure bore on brass is to remove the 2nd valve slide and measure the inside diameter of that slide. The relevance is the size of the tube the air goes through, and of course the air goes through the inside of the slides.

Some horns have been made with a bore that increases through the valves, so 2nd is larger than 1st and 3rd is larger than 2nd. That's why we use the 2nd valve - it would be the "average" of the 3 bores in this case. I'm reasonably sure that is not the case for your horn - just a bit of trivia!

[RickF]

Oops. I misspoke. Dave of course is right. Measure the diameter inside the second valve you’ve pulled out. Sorry.

[daruby]

The wrap and curvature of the bell leads me to believe this is a Conn/Pan American stencil. This horn is VERY similar to a 14I.

Doug

[jacobthompson1]

Thanks for your quick help, Rick, Dave, and Doug. Makes sense that it's a Conn/Pan American with a music store's label. It looks exactly like images of the Conn 14I that I've found online. Matching the serial number to the list on the cderksen site puts it being made in 1922 if a Conn or 1950 if a Pan American.