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US ARMY MODEL 1894 TRIPLE TWIST “B FLAT” BUGLE –
EARLY PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE LATER REQUIRED DATE OF
MANUFACTURE AND CONTRACTOR’S NAME – CORRECT FOR A
SPANISH AMERICAN WAR DISPLAY: The Model 1894
Triple Twist Bugle was introduced before the Spanish
American War and was issued to the cavalry, field
artillery, and infantry alike. It is believed that the
Model 1894 Bugles which were manufactured after 1912
were required to be stamped with the contractors name,
the specification number, and the date of the contract.
These Model 1894 Bugles without the contract dates and
manufacturer information predate the marking requirement
and date to the Spanish American War.
Measuring 11” in length with a 3 ¾” diameter bell, these
small bugles continued to be issued during World War
One, hence they came to be known in collectors’ lexicon
as “Trench Bugles”.
While showing use and age, this Model 1894 Bugle is
complete with the original mouthpiece and it will still
produce music. Okay…to be honest, it will make a bugle
sound – I have neither the skill, talent or air to make
“music”, but I guarantee it will get everyone’s
attention in the house…….to include the dog. The dog
definitely “charged” when he heard the blast….tore
through the house like a banshee. So.....it works.
As can be seen in the photographs below, the bugle has a
nice even patina with only a few very small handling
marks and slight dents. The twist is still in full
form, as is the bell, and the bugle retains its full
shape. Note that there were never any rings attached to
the twist as in the later production bugles which were
carried on a leather strap fitted with metal snap hooks.
Instead, this bugle was intended to be carried by the
Trumpet Cords and Tassels which had been in use by the
army for many decades. Overall, this bugle
presents as an excellent early specimen.
Much scarcer than the later dated
and maker marked specimens, this is a very nice example
of an early Model 1894 Bugle which was produced before
the turn of the 20TH Century, and one which
will display well with any grouping from the Spanish
American War. (0407) $350
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