J. W. Pepper & Son
Philadelphia
Bb Surprise model Trumpet
#58765 from c.1912

Length = 17.25"
Bell = 4.75"
Bore = 0.453"
Bb pitch
Finish: silver plated with gold bell

The earliest trumpets produced in the early 1900s usually had a shepherd's crook bell, as does this Pepper Surprise model from 1912. Not many of these survive as they were soon supplanted by more modern designs and at this time, the cornet was still the king of high brass.

This example is marked "B&F" and was made at the Bohland & Fuchs factory in Graslitz, Austria; modern Kraslice, Czech Republic. They were the source of a large percentage of imported brass instruments that were marked by American retail outlets. Below is a photo of the B&F factory at this time.

Here is the trumpet as I purchased it; very bent and tarnished.

Looking a little better again!

All polished up and ready for assembly.