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Rare circa-1929 Couesnon & Cie Paris multi-key trumpet with interchangeable tuning components, original-style fitted case, mouthpiece, and Certificate of Authenticity documenting its provenance within the Duane Cash Music archive and its use in early Duane Cash Music Label recordings.
This is a fascinating early French trumpet manufactured by Couesnon & Cie of Paris, one of France’s historic brass-instrument makers. The bell carries the period Couesnon engraving, including:
“Hors Concours – Membre du Jury”
“Exposition Universelle – 1900”
“Couesnon & Cie”
“Fournisseurs de l’Armée”
“94 Rue d’Angoulême – Paris”
The engraved “29” manufacturer/date marking is consistent with approximately 1929 production.
What makes this example particularly interesting is its collection of interchangeable tuning components. The trumpet includes multiple removable tuning bows/slides and an additional extension assembly that allows the instrument’s overall tubing length—and therefore its key configuration—to be changed. The exact historical pitch combinations are being preserved as part of the instrument and are believed to represent Couesnon’s multi-key trumpet system from this period.
The trumpet also retains its three removable piston assemblies. When removed, the pistons reveal distinctive yellow-brass valve bodies, contrasting with the silver-colored exterior components and providing an excellent look at the instrument’s period construction.
Duane Cash Music / Bigfoot & the Outlaws Provenance
This is not simply an antique trumpet being sold as an anonymous vintage instrument.
The trumpet comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from the Duane Cash Music archive documenting its association with Bigfoot & the Outlaws / Duane Cash Music Label.
The instrument was used to create some of the baseline melodic notes heard in early music produced under the Duane Cash Music Label, giving it documented modern recording provenance in addition to its nearly century-old French manufacturing history.
The COA will accompany the trumpet and identify it as an authentic archive instrument associated with the label.
Included
* Circa-1929 Couesnon & Cie Paris trumpet
* Multiple interchangeable tuning slides/crooks
* Additional tuning-extension assembly
* Three removable piston valve assemblies
* Period mouthpiece
* Vintage fitted hard case with red interior
* Duane Cash Music Certificate of Authenticity
* Documented association with early Duane Cash Music Label recordings
Condition
This is an approximately 97-year-old musical instrument and should be considered a vintage/antique collectible.
The trumpet shows age-appropriate surface wear, scratches, tarnish, plating loss, oxidation and areas where the underlying brass is visible. The bell engraving remains clearly identifiable. The removable components show comparable age and wear.
The vintage case shows substantial cosmetic aging, including exterior wear, oxidation to hardware, aged handle material, interior staining and deterioration to portions of the red lining.
These characteristics have intentionally not been cosmetically restored away, helping preserve the instrument’s historical character.
Because this is an antique multi-configuration instrument, buyers interested in regular professional performance should expect that servicing, adjustment or specialized setup by a qualified brass technician may be appropriate.
Collector Significance
This piece brings together three distinct areas of interest:
French brass-instrument history • early 20th-century multi-key trumpet engineering • documented modern recording provenance
With its Couesnon Paris engraving, interchangeable tuning system, period case and documented connection to recordings produced under the Duane Cash Music Label, it would make a compelling addition to a collection of antique brass instruments, recording memorabilia or Bigfoot & the Outlaws / Duane Cash Music archival material.
Sold as pictured. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and document the instrument, interchangeable components, engraving and condition.
