Description

• Production Start: Elden Benge began selling his first trumpets from his home in 1935 or 1936, starting around serial number 500.
• Timeline:
  • S/N 560: Manufactured in 1936.
  • S/N 933: Falls between the 1936 and early 1940s production marks. For comparison, serial number 1036 is dated to roughly 1942.
• Location: Instruments in this serial range were typically crafted at Benge’s second Chicago location at 2511 N. Major Ave, where he worked between 1937 and 1942. 
• • Hand-Built Quality: These early horns were handcrafted by Elden Benge himself, often featuring a one-piece “Resno-Tempered” bell.
  • Bore Size: Chicago Benge trumpets were typically made in Medium-Large (.460″) or Large (.468″) bore sizes. This horn is at .460
  • Engraving: Trumpets from this era often feature the “Benge” name on a musical staff engraved on the bell. 
    Historical Context and Dating
    Features of the Chicago Era
  Value and Rarity
  Because fewer than 4,000 instruments were produced during the entire Chicago period (ending around S/N 3350 in 1953), early horns like #933 are highly sought after by collectors.
• This horn is on the Joe Lil Chicago Benge horn site.
• Click here for a pdf of the Chicago sheet.
  (last updated 3/26/26)