Because of Mr. White's personal involvement and knowledge of acoustical principles and mechanical experience, he was able to nearly perfect the trombone. From 1894 to 1908 each trombone slide was actually made by Mr. White, and he knew that the secret to the trombone was making the slide as smooth as possible with lightning quick response. The H. N. White King trombone is among the best in the world because of superior craftsmanship, the best raw materials, and the worlds best design. The King trombone was the main stay of the company in the early years and far more trombones were made by The H. N. White Company than any other instrument. The H. N. White Company made the following brands: King, American Standard, Cleveland, and Gladiator (which was produced from 1940-1953) trombones .In 1926-1928 H. N. White introduced Sterling Silver bells to his trombones, which produces better tone, being clearer, richer, with a more pleasing quality. Not to mention some of the best looking bells ever produced in the music industry. Even today H. N. White "King" trombones are still played in bands all over the country. The H. N. White Company made all of its own trombones and did not stencil any for other companies (that I know of).

This page is designed to show the first known year of production (based on my catalogs) and any changes that are made over the production cycle of the instruments including model numbers and any unique specifications. In the production years of 1893-1910 it is important to consider that production of trumpets and cornets stated slowly and that the serial number list may not be 100% accurate, and that the company did not have "considerable" production until 1905. Please do not get hung up on the serial number list, it is much more important to identify a time frame of when the instrument was manufactured. This page is broken into two parts. The first part is pre 1930, and the second part is post 1930. The reason for the two parts is the confusion of models and model numbers of trombones. It appears that in 1930 there was a reissue of model numbers to the the entire trombone line, and adding to the confusion all trombones were put into new categories with new models.

Serial Numbers

 

Specifications:

Unknown

Model Numbers: #...Brass highly polished without extra low pitch slide.

#...Silver plated, satin finish, burnished bell.

#...Silver plated, satin finish, and gold lined bell.

#...Silver plated, burnished finish, gold bell.

#...Quadruple gold plate, satin finish, burnished points, and special engraving.

 

Production of the Number 1 Trombone is thought to have started around 1905 and ended by 1918 or 1919.

Specifications:

Model Numbers: #...Brass highly polished without extra low pitch slide.

#...Silver plated, satin finish, burnished bell.

#...Silver plated, satin finish, and gold lined bell.

#...Silver plated, burnished finish, gold bell.

#...Quadruple gold plate, satin finish, burnished points, and special engraving.

Specifications:

Diameter of Bell: 6.5 inches

Weight: 24 ounces

Model Numbers:

#...Brass highly polished built in high and low pitch.

#...Silver plated, satin finish, burnished bell.

#...Silver plated, burnished finish, gold bell.

#...Quadruple gold plate, satin finish, burnished points, and special engraving.

Some time between 1920 and 1923 all King Trombones were given new model numbers.

Specifications:

Model Numbers: #...Brass highly polished without extra low pitch slide.

#...Silver plated, satin finish, burnished bell.

#...Silver plated, satin finish, and gold lined bell.

#...Silver plated, burnished finish, gold bell.

#...Quadruple gold plate, satin finish, burnished points, and special engraving.

Specifications:

Diameter of Bell: 7inches

Weight: 38 oz.

Model Numbers:

#...Brass highly polished built in high and low pitch.

#...Silver plated, satin finish, burnished bell.

#...Silver plated, burnished finish, gold bell.

#...Quadruple gold plate, satin finish, burnished points, and special engraving.

Some time between 1920 and 1923 all King Trombones were given new model numbers.

Specifications:

Model Numbers: #...Brass highly polished without extra low pitch slide.

#...Silver plated, satin finish, burnished bell.

#...Silver plated, satin finish, and gold lined bell.

#...Silver plated, burnished finish, gold bell.

#...Quadruple gold plate, satin finish, burnished points, and special engraving.

Specifications:

Diameter of Bell: 7.5 inches

Weight: 41 oz.

Model Numbers:

#...Brass highly polished built in high and low pitch.

#...Silver plated, satin finish, burnished bell.

#...Silver plated, burnish finish, gold bell.

#...Quadruple gold plate, satin finish, burnished points, and special engraving.

1919 No. 5 Large Bore

Specifications:

Bell Diameter: 8 in.

Weight: 47 oz.

Bore: Large

Model Numbers: #...Brass highly polished built in high and low pitch.

#...Silver plated, satin finish, burnished bell.

#...Silver plated, burnished finish, gold bell.

#...Quadruple gold plate, satin finish, burnished points, and special engraving.

**Production started around 1919.

Some time between 1920 and 1923 all King Trombones were given new model numbers.

Specifications: Solo

Diameter of Bell: 6.5 inches

Weight: 38 oz.

Model Numbers: "Solo" Trombones

#1100...Solo Model Built in low pitch only.

Specifications: Regular

Diameter of Bell: 6.5 inches

Weight: 38 oz.

Model Numbers: "Solo" Trombones

#1101...Regular Model. Built in low and high pitch. This model later (1927) becomes the New Improved Proportion Solo Model.

Model Numbers: "Utility" Bb Trombones

#1105...Conservatory Model. Built in Bb, low pitch only. Bell diameter 7"

#1106...Regular Model. Built in Bb, low pitch, or high and low. Bell diameter 7" This model later (1927) becomes the New Improved Proportion Utility Model.

 

Specifications:

(2 Shown)

Model Numbers: "Orchestra" Bb Trombones

#1110...Conservatory Model. Built in Bb, low pitch only. Bell diameter 7.5"

#1111...Regular Model. Built in Bb, low pitch, or high and low. Bell diameter 7.5" This model later (1927) becomes the New Improved Proportion Orchestra Model.

Specifications:

Bell Diameter: 8 in.

Weight: 45 oz.

Length: 46.5 in.

Bore: Large

Model Numbers: "Symphony" Bb Trombone

#1115...Conservatory Model. Built in low pitch. Bell diameter 8"

Specifications:

 

Model Numbers:

#1100...Solo Trombone

#1105...Utility Trombone

#1110...Orchestra Trombone

#1115...Symphony trombone

1928 Addition of Silver Tone Models!

Shown from 1928 pocket catalog.

The 1928 addition of the Silver Tone models is the first use of catalog numbers used later.

1927 New Improved Proportion Trombones-Regular Model

Model Numbers:

#1101...Solo Trombone

#1106...Utility Trombone

#1111...Orchestra Trombone

#1118...Symphony trombone

Starting in 1926-27 and ending around 1929-30.

Model #1111 went on to become Model 1405 in 1929 and continued production until 1934-35.

Specifications:

Bell Diameter: 8 in.

Weight: 56 oz.

Length: 46.5 in.

Model Numbers:

#1130...Made in Bb with rotary valve to F.

Starting in 1923-24 and ending around 1929-30.

Specifications:

Model Numbers:

#221...Brass highly polished.

#223...Triple Silver plated, satin finish.

#224...Triple Silver plated, gold bell.

Note: 1919 model not shown due to similarity.

Specifications:

Bell Diameter: 7in.

Weight: 4 Ibs. 1 oz.

Length: 46.25 in.

Model Numbers:

#1116...King Tenor Valve Bb Trombone.

#1120...The King Combination Valve and Slide Bb Trombone.

In 1929-30 the Valve Trombones Model number was changed to No. 1465 and two more finishes were made available (Artists Special and King De Luxe).

Model Numbers:

#1465...Valve Trombone

#1465-S Silversonic

Production of the Valve Trombone started around 1905-1908. Production continued until the company was sold in 1965.

Specifications:

Bell Diameter: 6.5 in.

Weight: 35 oz.

Length: 37 in.

Model Numbers:

#1125...Playes in the key of C.

Production of the C Trombone started in 1920-24 and ended with the start of WWII and never resumed.

Production started on the Gardell Simons Trombone around 1934-35 and ended with the Start of WWII.

Production of the Artists Trombone is ended with the start of WWII.

Production of the Liberty Trombone is ended with the start of WWII.

Model Numbers: #1410...8" or 9" Bell. Built in Bb.

#1460...Same as 1410 with Solid Sterling Silver Bell.

#1480...F Attachment with Regular Bell.

#1485...F Attachment with Solid Sterling Silver Bell.

Specifications:

Bell Diameter: 9 in.

Bore: .546

Model Numbers: #1410...9" Bell. Built in Bb.

#1460...Same as 1410 with Solid Sterling Silver Bell.

#1480...F Attachment with Regular Bell.

#1485...F Attachment with Solid Sterling Silver Bell.

Note: By 1948 The Symphony Trombone is only known by model numbers 1480 & 1485. The F attachment is still available. In 1950-51 Silversonic becomes available.

Model Numbers: 3B

#1480...F Attachment with Regular Bell.

#1485...F Attachment Silversonic.

Specifications:

Bell Diameter: 9 in.

Bore: .536

Weight: 3 Ibs. 8 ozs.

Model Numbers: 3B

#1480...F Attachment with Regular Bell.

#1485...F Attachment Silversonic.

No picture at this time.

Specifications:

Bell Diameter: 9 in.

Bore: .546

The 3B and 4B Symphony Model Trombones remained unchanged until the company was sold in 1965. Production of 1410 & 1460 (4B) started around 1932 and ceased at the start of WWII, and then was restarted in 1965.

Specifications:

Bell Diameter: 7.25 in.

Bore: .481

Model Numbers:

#1407...2-B With Regular Bell.

#1457...2-B With Solid Sterling Silver Bell.

Specifications:

Model Numbers:

#1407...2-B With Regular Bell.

#1457...2-B With Solid Sterling Silver Bell.

Note: Only six finishes available. In 1950-51 Silversonic becomes available.

Model Numbers:

#1407...2-B With Regular Bell.

#1457...2-B Silversonic.

 

Specifications:

Bell Diameter: 7.375 in.

Bore: .491

Weight: 2 Ibs. 10 ozs.

Model Numbers:

#1407...2-B With Regular Bell.

#1457...2-B Silversonic.

Production started around 1937-38. The 1963 2-B remained unchanged until the company was sold in 1965.

Specifications:

Model Numbers:

#1140...Eight Finishes Available.

Specifications:

Model Numbers:

#1140...Three Finishes Available.

Specifications:

Bell Diameter: 8 in.

Bore: .508

Model Numbers:

#1403...Brass Bell

#1403-S...Silversonic

Specifications:

Bell Diameter: 8 in.

Bore: .508

Weight: 3Ibs. 1.5 ozs.

Model Numbers:

#1403...Brass Bell

#1403-S...Silversonic

Production of the 3-B Started around 1951-53. The 1963 3-B Trombone remained unchanged until the company was sold in 1965.

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