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
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