Richard's description of pre-WW II Kruspe horns matches, for the most part, my horn. I bought my double Kruspe in 1940. I was told then it was about twenty years old, so that would mean the horn was built around 1920. As far as I can see, there is nothing that looks like a typical serial number on the instrument; there is, however, a two digit number on the third valve assembly. Although it's an unusual spot for a serial number, perhaps that was meant to be one. In addition to the Kruspe eagle trademark, (including "Ed. Kruspe Erfurt"), there are the words "New Symphony Model," "Made in Germany." Because of this, I'd always assumed that the instrument was made primarily for export to the U.S. (and possibly other English speaking countries).
After about a 20 to 25 year hiatus from playing horn, I started again about a year and a half ago. The horn still holds its own among all the Conns, Schmids, Paxmans, etc., in the university's horn choir in which I've been playing. (This is not to say that I'm always holding my own among all of the young students who play those other instruments!) At my age (81) I won't be in the market for a new horn. I just hope that my horn holds up at least as long as I hope to hold up. My most immediate goal is to make the IHS Symposium in Denver this summer, where I'm looking forward to meeting many of the listers whose posts I've enjoyed reading over the past several years. Ed Glick >>> "Richard V. West" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 11/11/2007 2:30 AM >>> Hi Dawn: As far as I know, Kruspe horns rarely, if ever, had actual production serial numbers. What they often had, however, was the design patent number engraved on the bell below the Kruspe eagle trademark. The design patent number is commonly preceded by the initials D.R.G.M (Deutsches Reich Geschuetz Nummer), for example D.R.G.M. 1027194, which is the design patent number for the Kruspe "New Symphony" or "Walter Kruspe" full double horn (not the Horner model). Most Kruspe horn designs had specific design patent numbers. If you do find an actual serial number, I'd love to hear about it. If the horn is engraved "Made in Germany" it was probably intended for export, not domestic use. My guess is that it predates WW2. A large number of German horns were imported into the United States during the 1920s and 1930s for professional and student use. This stopped, of course, during the war and didn't restart until German industrial reconstruction in the early 1950s, and only then from the Western Zone. Alexander, for example, being in Mainz was in West Germany (BRD), while Kruspe (Erfurt) and Knopf (Markneukirchen) were in East Germany (DDR) and able to export to the West only in very small numbers, either under stringent state supervision or the occasional smuggled instrument. You can see the current Kruspe setup on their website http://www.edkruspe.de/index_en.html It's a little difficult to navigate, but does have an English version with a brief history of the company. Richard in Seattle Dawn McCandless wrote: > Hi, > > Just obtained an old Single Kruspe horn. Where would one find any serial > numbers? There is a 16 on the bottom of the middle valve cap. Is that it? > > The horn is brass, has string rotors and says: EDKRUSPE, ERFURT and Made in > Germany. It was the previous owners fathers horn and he is 85 now and they > guess the horn is about 65 years old. That puts it about 1942 from those > estimates. > > It's not in perfect condition and, unfortunately, has hints of red rot. > Couple dings. The keys were clacky, but quieted down with thick key oil. > Before oiling the rotors I pulled the 3 slides and they did pop when pulled > out. > > It has a wonderful tone. Guess despite it's appearance and old age problems > it isn't dead yet! > > Oh, I do have another question. How did they consider these single horns > back then? Was it made as a student horn as they tell people single horns > are now a days (at least here in the states... ). Or, is it considered a > normal horn despite the fact it is a single horn in F? > > > Dawn Marie _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/glick%40unt.edu _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
