In the US Civil War, 1860-65, most marching band instruments were configured as "over-the-shoulder" or upright horns used by both the North and South.  The OTS configuration was used to direct the music backwards to keep the marching troops in step.  Immediately following the Civil War, however, these configurations quickly lost favor and upright tubas and shoulder carried helicons were soon adopted by most marching bands.

Shoulder carried circular shaped instruments or "Helicons" were known in Europe in the 1850's. This is one of the earliest examples of an American made bass helicon.  It was made by Hall & Quinby of Boston and utilized American string operated rotory valves.  It is considered to be an early forerunner of the bass helicons and sousaphones common in the later 19th and 20th centuries.

This helicon is made of solid nickle silver. The bell rim was severely damaged in the past but was expertly restored by Dick Hansen in Massachusets, and it is now in excellent playing condition.

A new lease on life has been given to this grand old helicon by Steve Gasiorowski of Grafton, NH  who will play it in the Yankee Brass Band of Northern New England!