F.A. Reynolds Trombones

Model numbers and documented serial numbers are not currently available for the first two decades of Reynolds production, making it difficult to accurately put together a timeline. However, it appears that Reynolds produced two basic tenor trombone models in the company’s early years: [A] with all brass construction and no counterweight, and [B] brass with nickel-silver trim and a round counterweight. Each model was offered with an optional sterling silver bell and/or silverplate finish.

1936-1946

Trombones from Reynolds’ first decade of operations feature an ornate engraving pattern across the width of the bell flare. Both brass and sterling silver bells feature significant filigree with the latter adding inlay gold as well.

Model	Size	Description	Example
[A]	Bore: TBD Bell: 7″, 7¼” or 7½”	F.A. Reynolds Tenor Trombone | Body: brass bell, gooseneck, tuning slide, bracing and trim; no counterweight; beveled slide lock | Slide: inner slides TBD; brass outer slides (no nickel-silver sleeves) | Finish: clear lacquer finish, optional silverplate.
		F.A. Reynolds Tenor Trombone [A] with sterling silver bell
[B]	Bore: TBD Bell: 7¼” or 7½”	F.A. Reynolds Tenor Trombone | Body: brass bell, tuning slide and gooseneck; nickel-silver bracing and trim; round counterweight; beveled slide lock | Slide: inner slides TBD; brass outer slides with nickel-silver sleeves, receiver and handgrip | Finish: clear lacquer; optional silverplate.
		F.A. Reynolds Tenor Trombone [B] with sterling silver bell	No image available

1946-c.1949

After Scherl & Roth took over operations in 1946, it appears that the engraving pattern changed to a vertical block lettering style. The brass bells were much simpler in style than the sterling silver bells and would not have required as much “finishing” time on the production line. The change in engraving patterns happened around SN 9000.

Model	Size	Description	Example
[A]	Bore: TBD Bell: 7″, 7¼” or 7½”	F.A. Reynolds Tenor Trombone | Body: brass bell, gooseneck, tuning slide, bracing and trim; no counterweight; beveled slide lock | Slide: inner slides TBD; brass outer slides (no nickel-silver sleeves) | Finish: clear lacquer finish, optional silverplate.
		F.A. Reynolds Tenor Trombone [A] with sterling silver bell	No photo available
[B]	Bore: TBD Bell: 7¼” or 7½”	F.A. Reynolds Tenor Trombone | Body: brass bell, tuning slide and gooseneck; nickel-silver bracing and trim; round counterweight; beveled slide lock | Slide: inner slides TBD; brass outer slides with nickel-silver sleeves, receiver and handgrip | Finish: clear lacquer; optional silverplate.
		F.A. Reynolds Tenor Trombone [B] with sterling silver bell

c.1949-1952

In the late 1940s, Reynolds introduced the Emperor (1947) and Contempora (1949) model lines. In conjunction with these new models, the entire Reynolds trombone line — including F.A. Reynolds and Roth models — underwent a significant design change resulting in trombones that, while keeping the “F.A. Reynolds” engraving style of the original models, bear more than a passing resemblance to trombones made by Olds (where founder Foster A. Reynolds was working after selling Reynolds in 1946) rather than King trombones. Models [A] and [B] above were not made after the design change.

Serial number 22000 (c.1949) marks the approximate change to the updated design. In conjunction with these changes, it is likely, but not confirmed, that F.A. Reynolds trombones were designated as “Professional” models at this time.

Model	Size	Description	Example
[C]	Bore: .500″ Bell: 7½”	F.A. Reynolds Tenor Trombone | Body: Brass bell, nickel-silver gooseneck, tuning slide, bracing and trim; brass “R” counterweight | Slide: chrome-plated nickel silver inner slides; brass outer slides with nickel-silver sleeves and handgrip | Finish: clear lacquer finish; optional silverplate bright bell or silverplate gold bell finish.
		Reynolds Professional Trombone [C] with sterling silver bell	No photo available

Military Trombones

Reynolds also produced trombones for U.S. Army Air Force service bands throughout the 1940s. These instruments have a silverplate finish with a different engraving style from Reynolds’ standard models and a large “U.S.” mark engraved by the bell rim.

After the Reynolds trombones were redesigned c.1949 (see above), the model produced for the USAAF appears, based on visual wear inspection, to have used brass for the main tuning crook and tuning crook tubes and nickel silver for the bracing and trim. This would make them materially the same as the earlier model [B], as well as the new Emperor model introduced in 1947.

Model	Size	Description	Example
[A]	Bore: TBD Bell: TBD	F.A. Reynolds Tenor Trombone with USAAF military engraving and silverplate finish
[B]	Bore: TBD Bell: TBD	F.A. Reynolds Tenor Trombone with USAAF military engraving and silverplate finish
[C]	Bore: TBD Bell: TBD	F.A. Reynolds Tenor Trombone with USAAF military engraving and silverplate finish | Redesigned Olds-style bracing beginning c.1949

Bass Trombones

According to brass historian Richard Dundas, bass trombones were among the instruments “recognized for superior workmanship and acoustical properties” in Foster Reynolds’ new factory in the late 1930s. Exact measurements of Reynolds’ earliest bass trombones are unknown, but a 9¼” bell has been reported c.1950. Bell sizes later increased to 9½” in the mid-1950s and to 10” by the end of the decade.

As with the tenor trombones, Reynolds produced bass trombones for the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) service bands during the 1940s. These instruments have a silverplate finish with a different engraving style from the standard models and a large “U.S.” mark engraved on the bell rim.

At some point in time between 1949-1952, the F.A. Reynolds bass trombone was rebranded as the Contempora “Symphony” model.

Model	Size	Description	Example
TBD	Bore: TBD Bell: 9¼”	Reynolds Bass Trombone with USAAF military engraving and silverplate finish
TBD	Bore: TBD Bell: 9¼”	Reynolds Bass Trombone with USAAF military engraving and silverplate finish | Redesigned Olds-style bracing beginning c.1949