Olds # 1227 “Benge Model” trumpet

In July 2024, Olds trumpet serial number 1227 appeared for auction on eBay. The trumpet appeared to be the “The Olds” model with a hand hammered bell; however, this trumpet also has “BENGE MODEL” engraved on the mouthpiece receiver.

Serial number 1227 would suggest a manufacturing date of late 1933 or early 1934. There are a few records for the early years of Olds trumpet production and Olds Trumpet serial number 1228 is recorded with a production date of January 1934. There is no record of 1227 in the known production records, but assuming the instruments were made in sequence (or at least close to the same sequence) then late 1933 or early 1934 seems reasonable.

In January 1934, Elden Benge was in Chicago.

Benge joined the Chicago Symphony in 1933 and he was always looking for an alternative to his French Besson, so it would not have been out of the question that he would have had a relationship with Olds. However, at present, but there is no record of such a relationship.

Chicago Musical Instrument Company (CMI) was the east coast distributor for Olds, so certainly there was a physical presence by Olds in Chicago. In the circa 1933 CMI Catalog, the Olds instruments section begins on page 23:

Elden Benge did not make his first trumpet until 1935.

Robb Stewart did some work on this trumpet for the new owner and had this to say:

“I’ve finished the work on the “Benge Model” Olds trumpet for the new owner.  It is really quite nice.  Even with some red-rot in the mouthpipe, the valves are surprisingly tight, minor damage to second. The bore measures .460″.  It has serial numbers in the usual places.  The first slide hook socket appears to be original as does the lacquer that is left. I do feel confident that the “Benge Model” was made for Benge or perhaps an attempt to get his endorsement.  We don’t have any other evidence showing that Benge played an Olds, but you know how trumpet players are.  

I did compare the bell to other early Olds bells that I own and it doesn’t match any of them.  The owner was expecting it to match other Symphony models.  Mine (1374) is also marked “M SYM”, but has a larger bell flare.  I used to believe that Olds had only two and then three bell mandrels in those early years, but they must have been inspired by Bach to keep trying new designs.  You probably recall that I determined that the earliest Super trumpets have a different bell than those just a few years later and the change appears to have been an improvement that even I can detect.“

Jonathan Hsu is the new owner and was gracious enough to share photos of this interesting horn.

It is stamped as an “M SYM” bore;

Obviously, if anyone can shed light on a relationship between Benge and Olds, that would be great. Right now it is speculation, but hopefully something will surface that can document more about this trumpet.