Cleveland, Ohio
“F. A. Reynolds” 

Silver (Satin & Polish), gold inlay
ca 1940s
Length: 17 inches
Wind Instruments – Brasswinds – Cornets / Cornopeans

Engraved on the bell: REYNOLDS

This Reynolds cornet is paired with a matching Reynolds trumpet, each with a sterling silver bell and wonderful gold inlay with some of the finest engraving you will ever see.  When F. A. Reynolds left H.N. White in 1936 to start his own company, he managed to take one of White’s long-time lead engravers with him.  Reynolds made a line of custom horns such as these, for famous Jazz players.  Unlike the brass bells, the sterling bells featured ornate engravings and filigree around the REYNOLDS text.  The vertical engraving style as seen here, replaced the ornate horizontal style on trumpets, cornets and trombones around the start of World War II.  During the war, Reynolds produced brass instruments for the US military.  In 1964 the company was acquired by Norlin Music and production was merged with Olds.

Jazzman Harry “Sweets” Edison played a Reynolds.  It is said Edison earned his nickname “Sweets” from Lester Young, when both were in the Count Basie Band.