C. Mahillon (bell)

Belgian Trumpet with Mahillon Bell
Archived Collection Piece: This instrument is no longer held in the physical collection.

This B♭ trumpet presents an intriguing puzzle regarding its true manufacturing heritage. While the bell flare prominently features the official C. Mahillon inscription and corporate logo, the bell section appears to be a later historical addition to the body, leaving it highly uncertain whether the rest of the instrument was actually produced by the famous Brussels workshop. When I acquired the trumpet, the seller claimed it was in playable shape; however, the instrument suffered from severe structural and mechanical issues. There were two significant cracks in the tubing that I had to temporarily secure with tape, and the valve pistons were so badly worn that they retained almost no compression.

Acoustically, these combined flaws meant that the trumpet produced a very poor sound and was highly unresponsive when played. Because it required a major overhaul to become a true musical instrument again, I eventually decided to sell it as a decorative "wall-hanger," or for a future owner who would be willing to invest the necessary time and resources into a full professional restoration.