Reynolds (Professional) Trombones

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. Trombones have been reported with bell sizes of 7", 7¼" and 7½", and bore sizes of .480" or .500", but I haven't been able to nail down specific combinations to identify as unique models. For now, I've chosen to use the first-known model number, 70 (from a c.1949 catalog).

After Scherl & Roth took over operations in 1946, the engraving pattern changed to a vertical block lettering style. The brass bells were now much simpler 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.

Circa 1949, Reynolds redesigned the bracing on the trombone line. The new braces bear more than a passing resemblance to those made by Olds (where founder Foster A. Reynolds was working after leaving Reynolds in 1946) rather than the previously modeled King trombones. Serial number 22000 (c.1949) marks the approximate change to the updated brace design. The F.A. Reynolds models were rebranded as the Reynolds “Professional”. 

Reynolds trombones made c.1952 and later (serial number 30000) are marked “Made by Roth-Reynolds” instead of “F.A. Reynolds”. The main bell engraving changed from the vertical “F.A. Reynolds” monogram-style lettering to a lengthwise script that simply says “Reynolds”.

Reynolds continued to offer a sterling silver bell option throughout the 1950s and early ’60s. The basic sterling silver bell (model 73) had an added “Sterling” word engraved below the large “Reynolds” script, while the deluxe engraving style (model 71) kept the fancy filigree and hand-burnished gold inlay that distinguished the earlier Reynolds models. The latter does not appear to have added the “Sterling” designation. Production of the Reynolds Professional and Sterling model trombones ended when the Cleveland plant was shuttered in 1964, though an unrelated “Professional” model was offered in the early 1970s (see below).

Sometime after Richards Music purchased Reynolds in 1961, the product catalog was renumbered. The old numbers were replaced with a new scheme that reflected the type of instrument. To the best of knowledge, the instrument specifications did not change, just the model numbers.

In 1970, Reynolds fully merged production lines with Olds in Fullerton. In most cases, a horn would come off the production line and become either a Reynolds- or Olds-branded instrument based on detailing and finish. The late-model Professional trombone was made at the Olds plant in Fullerton between 1971-75.