United States
Schreiber, New York

Brass
ca. 1860’s
Bell Diameter: 8 inches
Wind Instruments – Brasswinds – Saxhorns – OTS

This S-shaped (tear-drop) SARV (String Action Rotary Valve) Alto Horn in Bb is patented by Louis Schreiber (logo patch). Louis Schreiber was born in Coblenz, Germany, January 13, 1827, and died in Los Angles, California in 1910. In 1858 Louis immigrated from Germany to the United States of America. In 1864, he established the Schreiber Cornet Manufacturing CO. in New York and was in business there until he retired in 1883.

During the Civil War brass band instruments were classified by four general categories, which was determined by the direction of the bell and the shape of the instrument.  They were bell front, upright, circular, and over-the-shoulder. They were also classified by the type of valve mechanism used.  The two most common valve types were the American string linkage rotary valve (top or side action) and the Berliner piston valve.

Since bands marched in front of the troops during the Civil War, the ‘Over-the-Shoulder’ (OTS) Saxhorns were most common, because it was thought having the bells point backward would make it easier for the soldiers to hear the music. These OTS Saxhorns were made in a variety of sizes as shown in this collection.

Reference: Trevor Herbert, Arnold Myers/Eugenia Mitroulia. “The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instrument.” 2^nd ed., Vol 4. Laurence Libin, Editor in Chief. Oxford University Press.