The King Silver Flair was the last great trumpet of The H. N. White Company. Production started in 1964. Early models were made in Cleveland and then production was moved to Eastlake. Early models are all professional grade. Available with first valve trigger.
King Silver Flair Trumpet Model 1055T
Diameter of the Bell: 4.75 Inches
Bore: Medium (.4.62)
Weight:
Top Left: 1965 King Catalog
King Super 20 Trumpet
By far the best trumpet made by HN White The King Super 20 Trumpet is the show stopper. The King Super 20 entered production in early 1946 and was only available in medium (.448) and large bore (.458) with a one piece bell. In 1948 production started for the Symphony Model (#1049) which had dual bore (.458/.468) with one piece bell. Then in 1950 a Sterling silver bell was added to the symphony model only. After 1950 very few changes were made. The King Super 20 Trumpets remained unchanged until the company was sold in 1965.
King Super 20 Trumpet S1 Model 1047
Diameter of the Bell: 4.75 Inches
Bore: Medium (.448)
Weight: 2 Pounds 6 Ounces
King Super 20 Trumpet S2 Model 1048
Diameter of the Bell: 4.75 Inches
Bore: Large (.458)
Weight: 2 Pounds 6 Ounces
King Super 20 Trumpet Model 1049 & 1049S
Diameter of the Bell: 4.875 Inches
Bore: Dual .458/.468
Weight: 2 Pounds 7 Ounces
Top Left: 1946 King Catalog
Middle Left: 1949 King Catalog
Bottom Left: 1963 King Catalog
King Triumphal Trumpet
The King Triumphal Trumpets were not shown in any catalog from 1941-1953 but in my opinion one could have been special ordered form the company during that time. After 1953 the Triumphal Trumpet remained unchanged until the company was sold in 1965.
Diameter of the Bell: 4.5 Inches
Bore: Medium (.448)
Weight: 38 Ounces
Top Left: 1924 King Catalog
Middle Left: 1932 King Catalog
Bottom Left: 1953 King Catalog
King Vocal or C Trumpet
Entering production around 1918 the King Vocal C and Bb Trumpet (Model #900) is one of our favorites. This trumpet was attempting to get more versatility out of the everyday trumpet with a unique convert from Bb to C with the switch of a dial. At least that is the theory. Originally sold with a bunch of extra tubes for conversion to C, Bb or A all in low pitch. There was a Sterling Silver bell option for trumpets made after 1926. This trumpet remained the same until production ended with the start of WWII.
Diameter of the Bell: 4.6 Inches
Bore: Large (.458)
Weight: 38 Ounces
Top Left: 1919 King Catalog
Middle Left: 1924 King Catalog
Bottom Left: 1938 King Catalog
King 2B & 3B Liberty Large Bore Trumpets
The 2B and 3B large bore Liberty Trumpets (model #1051 and #1052) first shows up in the 1937 King catalog. The King 2B Trumpet had a bore size of .458 while the King 3B Trumpet had an even larger bore of .468. Both were originally manufactured with one piece bells. The 3B trumpet was only produced for a few years right up until the start of WWII. After the war the King 2B Trumpet used the model number #1051 with bore .458 and then in 1953 the model number changed to #1052 with bore .458. The nickel trim is what makes this trumpet unique. In the late 1950’s the one piece bell was replaced with the standard King two piece. The King Liberty Model 2B Trumpet remained unchanged until the company was sold in 1965. There was no Sterling Silver bell option for these horns.
Diameter of the Bell: 4.75 Inches
Bore: Large (.458), Larger (.468)
Weight: 2 Pounds 6 Ounces
Top Left: 1937 King Catalog
Middle Left: 1946 King Catalog
Bottom Left: 1953 King Catalog
The Liberty Trumpet (model #1050) first shows up in the 1920 King catalog. By far the most numerus trumpet made by HN White especially in the earliest configuration the King Liberty trumpet was the first big hit for the company in the trumpet market. In 1926-27 solid Sterling Silver bell became an option with the bell being engraved with Silver Tone. Also in 1926 came the biggest with the addition of different bores, Artists #1051: Bell 4.75, Bore .468, Weight 37 ounces, length 19.75" Medium #1050: Bell 4.50, Bore .448, Weight 36 ounces, length 19.75" Small #1049: Bell 4.25, Bore .438, Weight 35 ounces, length 19.75." During the 1930’s and 40’s it is very common to see two types of valve designs, springs below the valve and springs on top of the valve. Then in 1933 the #1050 was redesigned to King Liberty #2 with only a medium bore size (.448) availability. The next design change came in 1945 with a new main tuning brace design. The last and final design change came in 1963 the elimination of the third valve slide nut and new bracing. The 1963 King Liberty Model Trumpets remained unchanged until the company was sold in 1965. Most if not all King Liberty Trumpets were made with a two piece bell configuration.
Diameter of the Bell: 4.5 Inches
Bore: Small, Medium, large
Weight: 38 Ounces (after 1924 only 36 oz.)
Top Left: 1920 King Catalog
Middle Left: 1932 King Catalog
Bottom Left: 1933 King Catalog
King Liberty Bb Trumpet
King Fluegel Horn Trumpet
Production of the King Fluegel horn started some time in 1920 and by 1939 production ended. A great option in the King line-up with a more mellow tone quality. In 1924 the Fluegel Horn was redesigned.
Diameter of the Bell: 5.125 Inches
Bore: Medium
Weight: 34 Ounces
Top Left: 1924 King Catalog
Bottom Left: 1932 King Catalog
Production started some time in 1916 and by 1924 production ended.
Diameter of the Bell: 4.5 Inches
Bore: Small & Medium
Weight: 34 Ounces
Top Left: 1919 King Catalog
King Master Trumpet
The H. N. White Made Trumpets
King Small Bore Trumpet
This type of small bore trumpet is relatively rare in that The H. N. White Company made mostly medium and large bore trumpets. Production started some time in 1905.
Diameter of the Bell: 4.5 Inches
Bore: Small
Weight: 34 Ounces
Top Left: King 1911 Catalog
The earliest Trumpets are stamped "HN White Sole Agent" and were imported to Cleveland around 1893-1907. From The H. N. White's Company's earliest days (1905-1910), they made the finest trumpets on the market and led the way in innovation and quality. Early trumpets will have a "lion head" by the serial numbers. Most models were designed by H. N. White, including the Liberty Models which was his favorite instruments made by the company. He liked the Liberty trumpet so much that H. N. White modeled his famous "mini trumpet" after it. In 1918 the company was incorporated and "Co" was added to the engraving of all instruments, before 1918 the engraving read simply as "H. N. White." The list of H. N. White trumpet players is like a who is who of the music world including such greats as: Donald Byrd, Ziggy Elman, Charlie Shavers, and Harry James. The H. N. White Company made the following brands: King, American Standard, Cleveland, and Gladiator (which was produced from 1940-1953) trumpets. In 1926-1928 H. N. White introduced Sterling Silver bells to his Trumpets, which produces better tone, being clearer, richer, with a more pleasing quality. Not to mention some of the best looking bells ever produced in the music industry. Even today H. N. White "King" trumpets are still played in bands all over the country. The H. N. White Company made all of its own trumpets and did not stencil any for other companies (that we know of).
This page is designed to show the first known year of production (based on my catalogs) and any changes that are made over the production cycle of the instruments including model numbers and any unique specifications. In the production years of 1893-1910 it is important to consider that production of trumpets and cornets stated slowly and that the serial number list may not be 100% accurate, and that the company did not have "considerable" production until 1905.