Folded Metal Ear Trumpet (2) (Ear Horn) This folded or "convoluted" metal ear trumpet has no manufacturer's marks on it, but it looks almost identical to the Arnold & Sons models manufactured from 1866 to about 1880. It probably dates to around 1870 or so. Later ear trumpets did not have ivory ear tips. This ear trumpet measures 5⅞" high (14.9 cm), while the bell opening is 3 11/16" (9.3 cm). It is made from quite heavy sheet metal and weighs 4.1 oz. (116 g).
|  | Click picture for larger view | | |   | | | |
| Side view of the folded metal (2) ear trumpet showing the convolutions the sounds went through to get through this trumpet. In spite of its large sound-collecting bell, all the bends in the sound tube significantly reduce the volume of the sound output. As always, there is a trade-off between "compactness" and sound volume. Stretched out, this ear trumpet would measure around 15" to 16" (38 - 40 cm).
|  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
Front view of the folded metal (2) ear trumpet. Judging by their listings in old catalogues, folded ear trumpets do not seem to have been as popular as the similar "bugle" style ear trumpets, where the last section to the ear piece was turned in to form an oval similar to the shape of a bugle, rather than out as is done with the folded ear trumpet.
|  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Rear view of the folded metal (2) ear trumpet. The paint is mostly worn off now, but it was originally painted black.
|  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Vertical view of the folded metal (2) ear trumpet shown standing on its bell. This was an easy way to set it beside you on a table ready for use when you needed it. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Close-up view of the bell of the folded metal (2) ear trumpet showing the inside of the bell. The inside of the bell was painted black. In contrast, the insides of the bells of many folded ear trumpets were painted a cream color. |  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Close-up view of the first (larger) bend in the folded metal (2) ear trumpet. In addition to the sound tubes, each bend or elbow consisted of 3 short beveled tubes all fitted together.
|  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Close-up view of the second (smaller) bend in the folded metal (2) ear trumpet. It's construction was exactly the same as the larger elbow.
|  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
Close-up view of the ear tip of the folded metal ear trumpet. The ear tip is made of ivory.
|  | Click picture for larger view | | | |
| Another close-up view of the ear tip of the folded metal ear trumpet showing the size of the hole in the end.
|  | Click picture for larger view | | |
|
(If a larger picture doesn't appear, you may have to
turn your pop-up blocker off)
|
| |
