New York, New York
Slater & Martin 

Brass, German silver
ca 1871-74
Length: 53 in; Bell Diameter: 11 in
Wind Instruments – Brasswinds – Saxhorns

Germany silver crest-shaped shield with engraving:  Slater / & Martin, / (8-point star) / N.Y.

Around 1840, Thomas J. Dodworth, Sr., the founder of ‘Dodworth’s New York Cornet Band,’ modified the saxhorns into backward facing instruments nicknamed “back’ard blasters” for use by U.S. military bands that traditionally marched ahead of the infantry and cavalry units. These modified saxhorns called “OTS” (over-the-shoulder) were used extensively during the Civil War.

This is an ‘over the shoulder (OTS) E-flat bass saxhorn by M. Slater & GR Martin.  It is made from brass with a German silver crest shield plate.  There are three early Berliner valves and it includes the original mouthpiece.  The Berliner valve was first made in 1824 by Nathan Adams (1783-1864) of Boston [Eliason, 91] and patented in 1835 by Riedl.  They were mounted perpendicular to orientation of the more common Périnet piston valves. This allows the valve slides to lie in the same plane as the rest of the horn in the same manner as rotary valves and without the sharp bends of the Perinet design.  

According to “The New Langwill Index, Moses Slater emigrated from England to New York in 1841.  Slater first partnered with S.T. Gordon as ‘Gordon & Slater in 1867-68.  Next, he partnered with Godfrey Robert Martin.  From 1868-1870 they were Martin & Slater, then from 1871-74 they were ‘Slater & Martin, which is seen on this OTS. 

Resource: “The New Langwill Index: A Dictionary of Musical Wind-Instrument Makers and Inventors.” William Waterhouse.  Tony Bingham, London. 1993., pg. 254 & 375.