Just acquired an olds "the bear" pat 4/2/1912

[Bariman16]

Alrighry I just acquired an olds 1912. What can yall tell me about them? This one is a medium bore and seems to be made somewhere between 26 and 27. I have an Olds super and love it, I just want to know some niche Info, playablity, history, and anything else y'all are willing to share. TIA

[BGuttman]

`I have one that is about two years older than yours and is a ML with an 8 inch bell.

The patent refers to the second C-shaped brace on the inner slide. Supposedly gives strength to the inner slide assembly.

They are great playing horns, but there are some limitations. First, the friction fit between bell and slide can come apart at the worst times; especially in Big Band with a lot of mute changes.

I used mine to play old Concert in the Park solos.

Forum Member John Lowe (JohnL) has a site with more Olds information than you can ever want. I think it's called www.itsabear.com.

[Bariman16]

Mine doesn't seem to have the brace/ tuning mechanism. It has the traditional rear tuning slide and the normal slide braces.