Vintage 1925 F.E. Olds & Son Medium Bore Trombone - Original Finish 2½
For sale is an extremely rare and historically significant Vintage 1925 F.E. Olds & Son Trombone, serial numbers 5579 / 5571. Built in the original, hand-craftsmanship era of Olds (pre-LA), this trombone is a beautiful example of early American manufacturing. It features the rare Finish 2½ details, is in excellent shape, and comes with its original leather-covered case as listed in the 1925 catalog!
This is the ultimate instrument for the collector, historian, or dedicated jazz player seeking a unique piece of brass history. Its brilliant tone and hand-built construction make it a remarkable player's horn, carrying the soul of the 1920s.
A Rare Piece of Olds History (Finish 2½)
As noted in the original 1925 Olds catalog (Finish 2½), this trombone features: "Heavily silver plated, satin finish. Braces, hand grips... and inside of bell gold plated and hand burnished. Beautiful hand engraved design."
What makes this trombone a museum-quality player:
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Custom Finish: This horn retains the original Finish 2½. The gorgeous silver plating has a brilliant, mirror-like shine. The original gold wash in the bell is still present deep inside, though rubbed off on the outer edges near the rim, reflecting its history.
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Acoustic Profile: This is the Medium Bore model (with a 7" bell), which the catalog describes as "A particularly brilliant instrument suitable for all-around work." The tone is powerful, focused, and historically accurate to the period.
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Unique Engineering: This horn utilizes a revolutionary in-slide tuning system rather than a traditional main tuning slide. This mechanism is incredibly neat and marks a very cool, historic design feature. Note: This model does not include a slide lock.
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Condition & Engraving: The trombone is in excellent shape with gorgeous hand engraving. The slide and body serial numbers (5579 and 5571) are very close, indicating a matching, hand-fitted instrument. The silver shows some wear and "flea bites," but no red rot or major problems.
Specifications & Condition
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Model: F.E. Olds & Son Medium Bore Trombone
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Serial Numbers: #5579 (Slide) / #5571 (Body)
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Approx. Year: 1925 (Vintage)
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Bore Size: Medium Bore
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Bell Diameter: 7 inches
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Finish: Original Silver Plate (Finish 2½) with Gold Wash in Bell (Interior)
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Case: Original Vintage Side Open Case—Leather Covered
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Condition: Excellent structural condition. Gorgeous shine. Slide action is smooth. Minor silver wear and some extremely minor flea bites consistent with its 100-year history.
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Our Service: Our comprehensive service included a thorough inspection, slide service, and precise mechanical adjustments to ensure it plays beautifully.
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Included: Comes with the original Leather Covered Side Open Case.
Why Choose Fleming Music?
Here at Fleming Instruments, our expert on-site instrument repair workshop guarantees that each instrument we sell is meticulously inspected and fine-tuned before it reaches you. We take pride in offering a 1-year warranty and 2-week return policy on all instruments, giving you peace of mind with your investment. Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service, so please reach out to us at the shop via phone, email, or website contact: https://flemingrepair.com/pages/contact.
For the most competitive pricing, financing options, or to discuss a trade-in, please contact us directly!
As always, we invite you to stop by our Houston shop to try this instrument in person. Nothing compares to the experience of a horn in your own hands. Follow our accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for the latest updates, content, and promotions: https://linktr.ee/Fleming_Music. We are grateful for your support of our small business and look forward to helping you find the perfect instrument or accessories!
