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F.A. Reynolds Trumpets

Unlike the F.A. Reynolds cornet, which is an obvious descendant of the King "Master Model" cornet, the F.A. Reynolds trumpets do not have as clear a lineage. The "Master Model" trumpet was discontinued in 1924, more than 10 years before Foster Reynolds left H.N. White Co. to start his own company. The King "Liberty" trumpets carried forward common design details like the Bb/A adjustment ring on the main tuning slide and teardrop valve caps. The mouthpiece receiver used on Reynolds trumpets is similar, if not identical, to the style used on the Liberty No.2 trumpet.

One source notes, however, that the King "Liberty" had bottom-sprung valves, different bracing between the leadpipe and bell, and what appears to be a tighter wrap. Instead, it's noted that H.N. White Co. may have supplied Vincent Bach with valves when the latter was starting out and that Foster Reynolds would have been very aware of the Stradivarius model, to which the Reynolds trumpets reportedly sound very similar when played side-by-side.

Because documented model numbers are not available, please refer to the following variants by their physical description and letter [A, B, C, D...] designation:

Model [A]
Brass or sterling silver bell with nickel silver upper valve casings (balusters).

Model [B]
Brass or sterling silver bell with nickel silver leadpipe and upper valve casings (balusters).

Model [C]
Brass or sterling silver bell with nickel silver leadpipe.

Model [D]
Brass or sterling silver bell with nickel silver leadpipe, upper valve casings (balusters) and valve tuning slides.

Model [E]
Emperor-style body with F.A. Reynolds engraving style

Military Models [M]
Reynolds trumpets produced for USAAF military bands during WWII.

Model Line Timelines

1936-1941	1941-1946	1946-1952	1952-
[A] [B] [M]	[B] [C] [D] [M]	[D] [E]	[Professional]

The five-year span from 1936-1941 covers Reynolds' initial production and early Armed Forces service band instruments; serial numbers include instruments up to approximately 9000 (documented serial numbers: 208-8095). Distinguishing features include an adjustment ring on the main tuning slide that permitted fast switching between Bb and A (found on most trumpets through approx. serial number 5000), an ornate horizontal engraving style on both brass and sterling silver bells and H.N. White-style "teardrop" bottom valve caps. Military trumpets bore a different engraving and a large U.S. mark near the bell rim.

The five year period from 1941-1946 includes military band and regular instrument production up to the sale of F.A. Reynolds Co. in 1946 to Scherl & Roth Co.; serial numbers range from approximately 9000-21500 (documented serial numbers: 9080-21092). Distinguishing features include a change to a vertical engraving style on non-military instruments and H.N. White-style "teardrop" bottom valve caps.

Instruments continued to be produced under the F.A. Reynolds name even after Scherl & Roth bought the company and took over operations in 1946. Circa 1952, the Roth-Reynolds name was introduced and the model line name was changed to Professional. For 1946-1952, serial numbers range from approximately 21500-30000 (documented serial numbers: 21775-28685). The instruments kept the vertical engraving style, but underwent some minor design changes, most notably the bottom valve caps were changed to a flat style without the "teardrop" drip stem.