Trossingen, Germany
M. Hohner

Metal, wood
ca.  late 20th century
Length: 24 in; Width: 6 in ; Height:  5 in
Wind Instruments – Free Reeds

Top Inscription:  ‘LOGO’ / Marine Band / M. Hohner

This is most likely the World’s Largest Playing Harmonica.  A Hohner Mid-Century style display “Marine Band” Harmonica that you can play.  It was converted to a playing harmonica by Don Ploof from Music Folk, Webster Groves, MO. This harmonica has 10 tone holes and is silver with the “Marine Band” logo engraved on the top. The wood is painted black and light orange.  You have to have a real pair of lungs to play it!

Clock maker Matthias Hohner began crafting diatonic harmonicas in 1857, assisted by his wife and one employee.  In the 1920s, Hohner began manufacturing chromatic harmonicas, which unlike the “standard” diatonic form can be played in any key.  Then in 1964 Hohner released “The Beatles Harmonica Kit” to boost a new popularity in the Hohner harmonica.  Through the years Hohner has made a variety of harmonicas with tuning variations available.