Trombones

Saurle Sr., Michael "Sackbutt" / Primitive Tbone

Munich, Germany
Western Europe

Brass
Early 19th century

Total Length: 110 cm, Bell diameter: 12.5cm, Length of Slide: 81.9 cm, MPC opening: 1.2 cm
Engraved: Michael Saurle in Munchen

Michael Saurle Sr. (1772-1845) Sackbut or primitive trombone of the 1800s. Nice original condition with original mouthpiece. From paintings of the late 15th century we find the earliest representations that show the trombone developed from a large trumpet through the addition of a slide. The German term “Posaune” points to another line of descent, the large and straight “buisine,” a name that goes back to “buccina,” an ancient Roman brass instrument. The name reappears in the medieval term “buysine” and in French, the name was “buccin” (or “buccine”). During the late 18th century and early 19th century, the French “buccin” was a trombone with a dragon shaped head for the bell. It was particularly popular for festival occasions during the French Revolution. The medieval name for the trombone was “sackbut.” It derived this name from the old Spanish word “sacabuche, “ meaning to “draw tube,” or from the old French word, “sacqueboute,” meaning to “pull-push.” Throughout the 16th century the sackbut or primitive trombones were commonly used in the ceremonial bands of the nobility and cities, as well as in churches. The only differences between the sackbut or primitive trombone and its modern counterpart are that the sackbut had a narrower bore and a smaller bell.

Owner:
Catalog#: HWMC

Apel, Willi, Editor. "Harvard Dictionary of Music." Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

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