Olds Register photo guide – Los Angeles

Question 8:

Third valve slide waterkey

Different Olds models used a different style of water key (spit valve) on the third valve slide. Please note this is not a question about the water key on the main tuning slide, but about the water key on the smaller third valve slide.

The water key is operated on the bottom side of the slide.

The Ambassador is the only model that typically has this style.

No water key on the third valve slide

Very early Olds trumpets did not have a water key on the third valve slide. Some models of cornet did not have one either.

The water key lever is operated on the side of the slide (trombone style).

Some models in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Discontinued on the third valve slide around 1950.

The water key lever is operated from the top side of the slide.

Olds made a change to this feature on most models in the early 1950’s. The side mounted (trombone lever) water key remained on the tuning slide, but the third valve slide water key style was changed.