Overview
This 1926 Martin Handcraft tenor trombone represents one of the early professional instruments produced by the Martin Band Instrument Company during its formative years in Elkhart, Indiana. Remarkably, the instrument now reaches its centennial year in 2026, making it a 100-year-old example of early American brass craftsmanship.
This example features a 7" brass bell finished in silver plate with a gold wash interior, a configuration commonly found on professional small-bore trombones of the 1920s. The classic Martin Handcraft floral engraving remains crisp and beautifully preserved.
The instrument has recently received full professional shop service, including chemical cleaning and silver polish. All major components remain original and the instrument presents very well for a trombone approaching a full century of age.
Key features include:
• Small bore professional tenor trombone
• 7" silver-plated brass bell
• Gold wash bell interior
• Classic Martin Handcraft floral engraving
• Nickel-silver inner slide tubes (pre-chrome slide design)
• Period-correct lower cork-barrel slide lock
• Friction-fit bell tenon secured by locking thumbscrew
• Vintage coffin-style hard case with top handle
The silver plating remains in excellent condition and the engraving displays beautifully.
Player Perspective
Small-bore trombones such as this Martin were widely used by professional players during the dance-band and early jazz eras of the 1920s and 1930s.
The 7" bell and compact bore design allow the instrument to speak quickly with excellent clarity and projection. Instruments of this type were designed for articulate playing and ensemble blend while remaining responsive for solo work.
Compared with many modern instruments, vintage trombones from this period often display a slightly different tonal personality. Rather than the highly uniform response of contemporary factory production, these early horns frequently offer a lively, organic feel that many players appreciate.
This Martin produces a focused sound with warmth and character and reflects the design philosophy of early Elkhart brass instrument manufacturing.
Historical Perspective
The Martin Band Instrument Company was founded in Elkhart, Indiana in the early 20th century and quickly became known for producing high-quality brass and woodwind instruments.
During the 1910s and 1920s the company marketed its professional instruments under the “Handcraft” name. These instruments were produced during a period when brass instruments were still largely hand-fit rather than mass manufactured.
The ornate engraving and silver-plated finish seen on this instrument are characteristic of Martin’s early production style. Construction details such as the thumbscrew bell connection and lower cork-barrel slide lock reflect design approaches used before later standardization across the industry.
Today, surviving Handcraft instruments offer an excellent window into the craftsmanship and design traditions of early American brass instrument making.
Historical Context — The Roaring 1920s
This Martin Handcraft trombone was built in 1926, placing it squarely in the era often referred to as the Roaring Twenties.
The decade was marked by rapid cultural and technological change across the United States, and music played a major role in that transformation. One of the most important developments of the period was the rapid expansion of radio broadcasting.
By the mid-1920s, major radio stations across the country operated live studio orchestras, performing dance music and popular arrangements for national audiences. These broadcasts helped launch the careers of many musicians who would later become well-known bandleaders.
Future swing-era artists such as Tommy Dorsey began their professional careers during this period performing in radio orchestras and touring dance bands.
Small-bore trombones like this Martin Handcraft were the standard professional instruments of the time, valued for their quick response and clear articulation in ensemble settings.
Now reaching its centennial year in 2026, this instrument offers a remarkable connection to the musical landscape of early twentieth-century America.
Condition Summary
This instrument presents very well for its age and has recently been professionally serviced.
• All original components
• Original silver plating in excellent condition
• Gold wash bell interior intact
• Bell engraving crisp and well preserved
• No structural damage or major repairs
• Slide functioning well following professional service
The trombone is ready to play and requires no additional shop work.
Case
The trombone includes a vintage coffin-style hard case with top handle.
Based on prior experience with Martin instruments from this era, the case may not necessarily be the original factory case supplied with the instrument. However, it is period-appropriate and provides very good protection for storage and transport.
Questions Trombone Players Often Ask
Why aren’t the slide tubes chrome plated?
Chrome plating on trombone inner slide tubes did not become common until later in the 1930s. Earlier instruments like this Martin used polished nickel-silver tubes instead, which produce a different wear pattern and playing feel compared to modern chrome slides.
What does a 7" bell indicate?
A 7" bell was a common professional size for trombones during the 1920s. These smaller bells typically produce a focused sound with quick response and clear articulation.
Is this considered a small-bore trombone?
Yes. Instruments of this design fall into the small-bore tenor category and were widely used by professional players during the early jazz and dance-band era.
Does the instrument include a mouthpiece?
A mouthpiece is not included with this instrument. Most players prefer to use their own familiar mouthpiece rather than a vintage original.
This trombone uses a standard small-shank tenor trombone mouthpiece and pairs well with common models such as a Bach 7C or 11C.
📦 Shipping & Order Fulfillment
Add this instrument to your cart and complete checkout securely online.
Orders typically ship same or next business day via FedEx.
International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote prior to purchase.
All instruments are professionally packed and fully insured for safe delivery.
🔎 Explore More Historical Collections
If you enjoy learning about vintage brass instruments, we invite you to explore the historical archive here at The Brass Exchange.
Our Archive of Sold instruments documents hundreds of professional trombones spanning more than a century of brass instrument development.
📌 Browse current trombone inventory
https://thebrass-exchange.com/trombones
You can also explore the archive to compare historic models and see how bore sizes, bell designs, and construction methods have evolved over time.
🏅 About The Brass Exchange
The Brass Exchange has specialized in professional brass instruments since 2010, with thousands of instruments inspected, photographed, and documented here in St. Louis for players around the world.
