Is this a Besson Model 159 Bass Trumpet?

[SJWSEuph]

I'm trying to identify this horn, a recent Ebay acquisition. I did a Google search and came up empty, searching for Besson marching baritone and Besson bass trumpet. Besson did make a bass trumpet, model 159 according to a 1958 catalog listing, but I have no pictures of it. Did Besson make marching baritones? The bell diameter is 8", it takes a tenor trombone mouthpiece, serial number is 04100, which does not seem to make any sense.

-Dave

[bbocaner]

It is not a bass trumpet. Besson did not manufacture marching trombones (which is what this is), but they did put their name on marching trombones from a number of other makers. Probably to meet school contracts. I have one that's marked "besson" that is clearly a Kanstul but yours appears to be a different design. Could be dynasty or getzen.

[bbocaner]

ahh, I think it's a Blessing M-200. So it would have been made at Blessing's factory in Elkhart. I believe that model uses the tooling from the old Olds marching trombone which was highly regarded.

[SJWSEuph]

It is not a bass trumpet. Besson did not manufacture marching trombones (which is what this is), but they did put their name on marching trombones from a number of other makers. Probably to meet school contracts. I have one that's marked "besson" that is clearly a Kanstul but yours appears to be a different design. Could be dynasty or getzen.

Barry, thanks for the reply. That makes sense. The fittings are not typical Besson. I did see some other marching baritones with the same wrap made by Olds and Blessing.

[davewerden]

No clue! My first guess is that it was made in India and may not have been marketed in the USA.

[SJWSEuph]

ahh, I think it's a Blessing M-200. So it would have been made at Blessing's factory in Elkhart. I believe that model uses the tooling from the old Olds marching trombone which was highly regarded.

Barry, you nailed it. Here is an ad for the Blessing M-200 Marching Trombone. Thanks for your help. Despite all the dents, it has a nice tone and good intonation.

[bbocaner]

I suspect the reason these exist is that Besson USA came across a RFP from a college or school district that wanted something like 30 tubas, 30 euphoniums, 30 trombones, --oh, and 5 marching trombones. So they contracted out to put their name on them so they could bid on the whole contract. My guess is that they were never offered for sale to the general public.