Antique Silver-Plated Tuba (BB base). Salvation Army - The Triumph Class A

Approximate Year of manufacture 1921

Silver plated Tuba with three valves manufacture by the Salvation Army musical instrument factory. Known as the ‘monster’ BB bass due to its huge size (Height 102cm; Bell 44cm). In remarkably good condition with dents shown in photos. The valves operate freely when depressed and a large mouthpiece forms part of this overall magnificent piece. This Tuba is stamped: ‘The Triumph; Class A; 16120 (the serial number); Blood and Fire (the Salvation Army motto included in their crest); Manufactured by the Salvationist Publishing & Supplies Ltd; Judd St, Kings Cross; London Factory, St Albans, Herts’. Silver plating was initially seen as an unnecessary extravagance for Army Instruments, but by the time of the factory move to St Albans it was recognised as good value for money as it extended the life of the instrument. The silver plating on this Tuba remains in very good condition with some minor losses. Serial Number 16120 with matching numbers on the valve assembly. Sorry, no carrying bag or case.

Dating instruments by serial number is necessarily approximate. It is a reasonable assumption that numbers were allocated serially at the time of order (usually in batch) from the factory. After a period of time, an instrument would be completed to the extent that the number and trading address were stamped on the bell. The date when an instrument was tuned was a considerable amount of time after it was numbered, and the date from the despatch from the factory was usually later still. The factory workshop and stock books record only these last two dates. The time from order to despatch could be weeks or months, or years, and varied within batches. Some instruments progressed rapidly from order to inscribing, tuning and despatch, while others in the same batch took longer to complete, and this accounts for apparent anomalies in dating.

From records {published by Arnold Myer: Instrument Making of the Salvation Army}; Serial Number 16154 is matched to 31 Dec 1921. This Tuba, with serial number 16120 is very close, hence dated to circa 1920s. Presented as an antique display piece rather than for musical effect due to its age (over 100 years old).

Brief Timeline / History for dating purposes:

1884: The Trade Department of the Salvation Army begins as a dealer of brass instruments.

1889: Opens a repair shop in London and by 1893 manufactures complete instruments stamped “Our Own Make”.

1895: The works employed 16 men and can make all brass instrument types. The ‘monster’ BB base and the ‘medium’ BB base being the last to be added.

7 July 1917: The Trade Department becomes ‘Salvationist Publishing and Supplies (S.P and S), incorporated as a limited company with its headquarters at Judd Street. This new name was stamped on instrument thereafter. Highest recorded Serial Number of 14036 stamped ‘Salvation Army Trade Headquarters’.

1914 – 1918: Wartime suspension of factory operations and all orders cancelled. Work comes to standstill. After the war, orders begin to flow again. New ideas, new methods of production and new models were introduced.

16 Dec 1925: Factory books highest orders in a batch, including at least one tuned by end of 1925 with Serial Number 18431.