Germany
‘Deutsches Reich Gebrauchsmuster’ DRGM

Silver Plated Brass
ca. 1920’s
Height: 21 in
Wind Instruments – Brasswinds – Trumpets

A jazzophon, shaped like a saxophone with two bells in silver plated brass, signed “JAZZOPHON D.R.G.M. No.995305”.   This jazzophon was made in the late 1920s. It is played with a brass cup mouthpiece and has three regular trumpet valves, plus one valve upside down that when pushed down, directs the air and sound through the second muted bell equipped with a built-in “wah-wah” mute and trigger. D.R.G.M. is an acronym for Deutsches Reich Gebrauchsmuster (German Reich Registered Design).

It was invented in the 1920’s  as a cheap alternative to the very popular saxophone. Nevertheless,  it was not successful during this time leading up to the Great Depression of 1929.

For the history of the Jazzophon go to:   https://marge.home.xs4all.nl/jazzophoneen.htm#.YYSOMWDMKUn