Unusual Conn Euphonium Design

[Fujiifilm]

Found this on Reverb today, I've never seen an old front action euph with this specific design before. It kind of looks similar to a 4v double bell, but with a 4th valve loop where the 2nd bell would go? According to the description it dates from the 1890s.

(To clarify, this is not my euph for sale nor am I affiliated with the seller.)

Link to the listing with more photos: https://reverb.com/item/38149470-c-g...orn-circa-1892

Here are a few images borrowed from the listing:

[John Morgan]

That is one bizarro horn for sure. The upper bow appears soldered to the bell, how strange is that!? This horn conjures up thoughts of Dr. Frankenstein and the mutant euphonium/baritone!!! There seems to be too much plumbing for a 4 valve, non-compensating horn. Would be interesting to see the original horn, if this is not it. Seems this horn may have been modified.

[daruby]

Conn Loyalist shows this "American Model" 4 valve Double Bell ca. 1890 that has a very similar wrap: https://cderksen.home.xs4all.nl/Conn...1890image.html

Perhaps this is an "American Model" 4 valve (non-double bell) or a home brew conversion of the DB into a normal 4 valve.

Doug

[Fujiifilm]

Did some digging on Horn-u-copia, and it looks that is the original design, based on catalog illustrations. It's listed as dating from 1890s and was called the "American" model ("New American" for the 3v version).

[vegastokc]

Interesting, unique find.