| Origins of the M1892 Bugle, Page 2 |
Over the 110-year history of this design there have been at least seventy manufacturers world-wide making these 1892 horns with playing qualities
ranging from superb to gosh-awful, but three are especially worthy of mention in this short essay.
ranging from superb to gosh-awful, but three are especially worthy of mention in this short essay.
1. The Vincent Bach Company, for the superb quality of their G and B flat field trumpets which play wonderfully.
The bugle used by the United States Army Band
(Pershing's Own) is in the key of B flat and was designed
after the M1892. The Army Band decided on this key to
match the sound of B flat trumpets, which are used at
ceremonies in Arlington National Cemetery when a bugle
is not available. Also the thought may have been that the
higher pitched sound would carry farther. Incidentally,
the instrument is called a "Signal Trumpet in B flat," not a
"Field Trumpet" as described in the 1892 specifications.
(Pershing's Own) is in the key of B flat and was designed
after the M1892. The Army Band decided on this key to
match the sound of B flat trumpets, which are used at
ceremonies in Arlington National Cemetery when a bugle
is not available. Also the thought may have been that the
higher pitched sound would carry farther. Incidentally,
the instrument is called a "Signal Trumpet in B flat," not a
"Field Trumpet" as described in the 1892 specifications.
2. The C.G. Conn Ltd. Company, for overall quality, durability and various design improvements. This company,
in existence since 1879, has been a pre-eminent manufacturer of brass instruments.
3. The Buglecraft Company, who manufactured many thousands of inexpensive horns for the mass civilian
market with brand names of Rex, Rexcraft, and most often just labeled "U.S. Regulation."
Other M1892 pattern bugle manufacturers include Buescher, York, Holton, Ludwig, Millard, and Weymann.
in existence since 1879, has been a pre-eminent manufacturer of brass instruments.
3. The Buglecraft Company, who manufactured many thousands of inexpensive horns for the mass civilian
market with brand names of Rex, Rexcraft, and most often just labeled "U.S. Regulation."
Other M1892 pattern bugle manufacturers include Buescher, York, Holton, Ludwig, Millard, and Weymann.
| USMC Field Trumpet, 1940 |
The Boy Scouts of America adopted this basic 1892 design, the many drum and bugle corps founded after World War I standardized on this horn, and due
to contest requirements, the horns came to be specified as "U.S. Regulation." The BSA bugles made by Conn use a cornet mouthpiece instead of a
trumpet mouthpiece.
to contest requirements, the horns came to be specified as "U.S. Regulation." The BSA bugles made by Conn use a cornet mouthpiece instead of a
trumpet mouthpiece.
The Boy Scouts adopted the M1892 bugle as early as
1916 and the bugle would remain an important part
of scouting until interest began to diminish in the
1970s and 80s. In 1986 the Boy Scouts discontinued
their authorization of an "Official Bugle," although
scouts still use bugles or trumpets for ceremonies,
troops have troop buglers and it is possible to earn a
merit badge for bugling.
1916 and the bugle would remain an important part
of scouting until interest began to diminish in the
1970s and 80s. In 1986 the Boy Scouts discontinued
their authorization of an "Official Bugle," although
scouts still use bugles or trumpets for ceremonies,
troops have troop buglers and it is possible to earn a
merit badge for bugling.
Eventually all branches of the Army adopted the basic 1892 G trumpet and around 1917 it was adopted by the Navy and Marines. Regular Army, Navy or
Marine Corps issue horns never say U.S. Regulation, which is a civilian designation. Genuine issue horns are usually marked U.S. or U.S.Q.M.C. or U.S.N.
or U.S.M.C. or various depot contract markings. Some have no marks or just the manufacturer's name.
During World War II, these bugles were painted in Olive Drab (O.D.) color. The Olive Drab finish was specified on B flat bugles on Nov. 11, 1932 and it is
believed that same date applies to the G trumpets. World War II Olive Drab M1892 horns were made by Conn, Buglecraft, LaRosa and others.
Marine Corps issue horns never say U.S. Regulation, which is a civilian designation. Genuine issue horns are usually marked U.S. or U.S.Q.M.C. or U.S.N.
or U.S.M.C. or various depot contract markings. Some have no marks or just the manufacturer's name.
During World War II, these bugles were painted in Olive Drab (O.D.) color. The Olive Drab finish was specified on B flat bugles on Nov. 11, 1932 and it is
believed that same date applies to the G trumpets. World War II Olive Drab M1892 horns were made by Conn, Buglecraft, LaRosa and others.
A World War II issue bugle made by Conn and
painted in Olive Drab (O.D.)
painted in Olive Drab (O.D.)
During World War I the J.W. York Co. made a variation of the 1892 horn in F with no slide, and some other makers made them in F or converted them.
C.G. Conn, H.N. White/King and Wurlitzer made a variation in B flat during the 1930's, long before the Vincent Bach Model 1955 B flat Signal Trumpet as
used in state ceremonies by the U.S. Army Band.
Another variation in the key of A, made by the Kaemph Co., had a single forward circular loop in lieu of a tuning slide but otherwise resembled the
standard G trumpet. Some service buglers would take a standard G trumpet and cut down the slide to make it into an A or A flat horn. This has been
confirmed by at least one Army bugler who had examples of bugles he had converted. There is some small evidence, though not confirmed, that Navy
buglers may also have cut down their horns to A.
C.G. Conn, H.N. White/King and Wurlitzer made a variation in B flat during the 1930's, long before the Vincent Bach Model 1955 B flat Signal Trumpet as
used in state ceremonies by the U.S. Army Band.
Another variation in the key of A, made by the Kaemph Co., had a single forward circular loop in lieu of a tuning slide but otherwise resembled the
standard G trumpet. Some service buglers would take a standard G trumpet and cut down the slide to make it into an A or A flat horn. This has been
confirmed by at least one Army bugler who had examples of bugles he had converted. There is some small evidence, though not confirmed, that Navy
buglers may also have cut down their horns to A.
| A cut-down bugle |
During World War II, when there was a shortage of brass, a plastic bugle was put into service. This variation of the M1892 horn (stock #36-T-648 from the
USQM No.6 Army Service Forces Catalog, QM Supply catalog... HQ Army Service Forces 31 Jan. 1944) was made of Tenite developed by the Kodak
Corporation and manufactured by the Frank Aman Company. There were two slightly different moldings, the light Olive Drab horns being used by the
Army and the darker OD horns with a slight mold difference being used by the Marine Corps during the 1950's and earlier. This early plastic has a
tendency to bleed a milky white coating which is the plasticizers coming to the surface, and over time (many years) the plastic will entirely deteriorate.
These horns were issued with a plastic mouthpiece but often a metal one was substituted. There are silver-coated ones to be found also but rarely.
USQM No.6 Army Service Forces Catalog, QM Supply catalog... HQ Army Service Forces 31 Jan. 1944) was made of Tenite developed by the Kodak
Corporation and manufactured by the Frank Aman Company. There were two slightly different moldings, the light Olive Drab horns being used by the
Army and the darker OD horns with a slight mold difference being used by the Marine Corps during the 1950's and earlier. This early plastic has a
tendency to bleed a milky white coating which is the plasticizers coming to the surface, and over time (many years) the plastic will entirely deteriorate.
These horns were issued with a plastic mouthpiece but often a metal one was substituted. There are silver-coated ones to be found also but rarely.
This Tenite (plastic) bugle was designed by Frank
Aman who also manufactured the plastic "Tonette"
recorder used in elementary schools. These bugles
were made by the thousands and many wound up in
army surplus stores in the 1950s-70s.
Aman who also manufactured the plastic "Tonette"
recorder used in elementary schools. These bugles
were made by the thousands and many wound up in
army surplus stores in the 1950s-70s.
One museum example exists of a convertible model 1892 G trumpet which could be
changed into a three-valve trumpet by removing the tuning slide and inserting a
complete new valve and tubing section. The Conn Company even experimented
with a reversible bell in order to have an over the shoulder bugle.
changed into a three-valve trumpet by removing the tuning slide and inserting a
complete new valve and tubing section. The Conn Company even experimented
with a reversible bell in order to have an over the shoulder bugle.
In summary, the 1892 field trumpet in G was a very successful design and it is still in production today although no longer for the U.S. military. The model
1892 specifications were revised in 1918 and 1938, and other regulations were also issued pertaining to their manufacture.
1892 specifications were revised in 1918 and 1938, and other regulations were also issued pertaining to their manufacture.
SOURCES: The National Archives; Langwill Index of Wind Instrument Manufacturers; Streitwieser Trumpet & Horn Museum; various manufacturers' catalogs; List of Bugle
Manufacturers by Dr. Ray Osheroff; Sgt. Clarence Ponder, U.S.A. Ret.; horn collection of Randy Rach and former collection of Jack Carter; many service manuals and period
photographs.
Manufacturers by Dr. Ray Osheroff; Sgt. Clarence Ponder, U.S.A. Ret.; horn collection of Randy Rach and former collection of Jack Carter; many service manuals and period
photographs.
| © Copyright assigned to Randy Rach, Hartford, MI. All rights reserved. |
Jack Carter is a retired electrical engineer and a Marine Corps veteran with a lifelong interest in field music and military music. He plays Highland bagpipes, B flat fife,
bugles, field trumpets, Civil War flugelhorns and cornets. He has been in the Civil War reenacting hobby since 1991 as a fifer and bugler. He has collected and studied bugles
and trumpets since 1974, served several years on the advisory board of the Streitwieser Trumpet & Horn Museum and was a charter member of the Historic Brass Society. At
present he is a member of the Company of Fifers & Drummers and Bugles Across America.
bugles, field trumpets, Civil War flugelhorns and cornets. He has been in the Civil War reenacting hobby since 1991 as a fifer and bugler. He has collected and studied bugles
and trumpets since 1974, served several years on the advisory board of the Streitwieser Trumpet & Horn Museum and was a charter member of the Historic Brass Society. At
present he is a member of the Company of Fifers & Drummers and Bugles Across America.
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