Horstmann Brothers & Co. Military Trumpet: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This trumpet was made by Horstmann Brothers & Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1879-1882. It is an F natural trumpet made of brass, with a blue cord. This trumpet is stamped:

This is a standard military trumpet, made according to Specification No. 38, dated February 15th, 1879, “Specifications for Trumpets,” Quartermaster General’s Office, War Department:

“For all foot troops -- To be the same as standard sample brass trumpet ’F,’ two (2) coil, and with two (2) mouthpieces. When complete, with mouth-piece in, to weigh about twelve and a half (12 ½) ounces, and to measure about sixteen (16) inches in length, and about four and a half (4 ½) inches in width at center. Diameter of bell to be about four and a half (4 ½) inches.”

William Hortsmann, born in Germany, emigrated to the United States and established himself as a maker of fringe, laces, and trimmings in Philadelphia, in 1815. William Horstmann & Sons were located at North Third Street between 1830 and 1857, manufacturing and importing everything from textiles and trimmings to military goods including drums, pistols, and swords. As the company expanded, Horstmann & Sons moved the factory to 5th and Cherry Streets and their storefront to 2223 Chestnut Street. Later the company would grow to two stores in New York and an agency in Paris. William Horstmann retired from the company in 1845, and his sons, William and Sigmund continued the family business until 1872.

Materials, dates and provenance

• date made: 1879 - 1882
• maker: Horstmann Brothers & Company
• Object Name: trumpet
• Physical Description: brass (overall material)
• Measurements: overall: 15 in x 4 1/2 in x 7 in; 38.1 cm x 11.43 cm x 17.78 cm
• Measurements: overall: with cord: 15 in x 4 1/2 in x 19 in; 38.1 cm x 11.43 cm x 48.26 cm
• Measurements: overall with cord: 4 5/8 in x 14 3/4 in x 14 3/4 in; 11.7475 cm x 37.465 cm x 37.465 cm
• place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
• ID Number: MI.093197
• catalog number: 93197
• Data Source: National Museum of American History

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of American History through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed.