This truly beautiful trumpet was made by the E.A.. Couturier Co,. Ltd. known for its  patented "Conical Bore" line of instruments.  According to his catalog of 1916,  his company was producing an entire line of conical bore instruments.  The concept of the conical bore was to to produce a more mellow sound. The company moved from New York to La Porte Indiana in 1918.

Couturier was an exemplary cornetist and in  1906 he visited Europe on a solo tour and astounded his audiences with his high range, as well as his ability to play a total of six full octaves.  Click here for a detailed bio of Couturier.

One problem with the Couturier line was the fact that only the tuning crook could be removed for cleaning.  Later models had a design modification which permitted each valve crook to be removed.

This trumpet has a narrow bore leadpipe accommodating only a cornet shank mouthpiece.  It is however still called a trumpet in the catalog.  It also has a switch valve to permit the trumpet to play in A.   The silver plating is virtually 100% - and the instrument plays with  a clear centered sound.

See also the other Couturier instruments in my collection:  a Cornet;  a Mellophone; a Baritone; a Slide Trombone and a Tuba!!