Martin Trumpets

1905-1961

Elkhart, Indiana

Renowned: this is the earliest known trumpet model; image below from 1912 catalog

Standard: early design c.1915 similar to above but with added key change

Superlative: described in a May, 1922 article in Music Trade Review as a new model already being

played so perhaps introduced a year or two earlier

Superlative #30450 c.1920 (auction photo); note the adjustable receiver pipe

Handcraft Dansant & Symphony: described in November, 1924 Presto magazine as being new

models

Symphony model #42622 c.1924 (Horn-u-copia.net photo)

Dansant model #75000 c.1927 (auction photo)

Catalog image of Symphony model

“New Symphony” model (auction photo)

Indiana Band Instrument Co.: incorporated in 1928 to make student instruments made at the

Martin factory; Indiana #131xxx below c.1940 (Horn-u-copia.net)

Master model: #80000 c.1929

May 1929 ad stating that the Master was a new model; the trumpet above shows the “Supra-Metal”

bell (nickel silver) which may have been Martin’s response to the King Silver Tone.

Handcraft Concert model: the circular pinky ring may indicate this is from the mid-1920s

Martin trumpet #88913 was reported in the August 1928 Music Trade Review as having been recently stolen from a music store.

Sport model: listed as a new model in this June 1930 ad below from Music Trade Review

Troubadour model: this is described as a new model in November 1931 when it was mentioned that Louis Armstrong was playing one; in December listed as a new model gaining favor; serial numbers start around 100000 (auction photo below, #1079xx); this looks just like the Sport model shown in the 1930 ad above so perhaps they just changed the name

Handcraft Standard model: introduced in the 1930s, this one is #1115xx, c.1934 (auction photo), the 1938 and 1939 catalogs list just the Standard and Imperial models for sale

Handcraft Imperial model: also from the 1930s, these replaced the Superlative model; this was the top model until the introduction of the Committee model in 1939; Imperial #115xxx below c.1935 (Horn-u-copia.net photo)

Committee model: Martin introduced the Committee model trombone in 1939 then the trumpet in 1940 as shown in this 1940 ad below. These were designed by Renold Schilke and were his pride and joy until he started his own company. They are still the most famous trumpet Martin made.

Committee #137xxx from c.1940 has early style forward water keys (auction photo)

1941 ad

Standard model #1444xx c.1942 (auction photo)

Committee model #1545xx c.1946 now with bottom mounted water keys (auction photo)

Deluxe Committee model #165xxx c.1948 (auction photo)

Imperial model #172xxx c.1950 (auction photo)

Committee model #1968xx c.1956 (auction photo)

Imperial model #202xxx c.1957 (auction photo)

Committee model #203xxx c.1958 (auction photo)

1958 Committee ad

Imperial model #207xxx c.1959 (auction photo)

Committee model #209xxx c.1960 (Horn-u-copia.net photo)

Magna model (introduced in 1955 to replace Imperial) #211xxx c.1961 (Horn-u-copia photo)

Gillespie Committee model #217xxx c.1963 (Horn-u-copia photo)