Martin Band Instrument Company
Elkhart, Indiana
Bb Superlative Trumpet
#41053 c.1923

Length = 19.325"
Bell = 4.5"
Bore = 0.435" (Marked "M")
Weight = 36.9 oz
Bb Low Pitch
Finish: silver

Martin really made some good trumpets, and I have had several different models over the years, but this is the first Superlative. These were a new model in 1916 and remained until 1924, when they were replaced by the Dansant model.

Here is a catalog image from 1923.

As purchased in 2022. Complete except for a missing pull knob on the second slide. A bit bent up but no apparent plating wear and the valves seemed tight. By the time this one was made, Martin had made some minor design changes. They added the pinky ring and changed the tuning slide brace.

A nice gold wash bell (plus a few fuzzles).

This was made just before they started adding the "Handcraft" name in 1923.

This one came apart rather easily compared to most. Very dirty and dried out but this should come together well. It only made a weak sound when I tried to play it so probably one of the valves was off. It appears to have the original valve springs. I have added a period Martin mouthpiece to match it.

Now all cleaned up and ready for assembly.

This example is still marked with "Reg. US Pat. Office," just before they changed to the "Handcraft" label.

The original style mouthpiece that matches the catalog image.