Tag #: 201501
Serial #: 3163
Bell Diameter: 27.5″
Bore Size: .850″
Height: N/A
Comments: “LYON HEALY/INSPIRATION” on bell. Floral engraving around identification marks.
Has one of the largest (if not the largest) piston valve bore sizes in the collection compared to our Couesnon tuba and our Conn sousaphone.
V & E Simonetti Historic Tuba Collection 
To my knowledge, the first bell front Sousaphone was produced by Conn in 1908, so I doubt your date of 1904 is correct. But if you can verify the appearance of a front-facing bell before 1908, I’d love to hear about it!
Hi Dave! According to this serial number list on Horn-u-Copia.com, it is between 1903-1904. http://www.horn-u-copia.net/serial/LHlist.html If you have any other information regarding the year they were made, please email us at simonettitubacollection@gmail.com. Look forward to hearing more! Thanks. – Aiyana (collection curator)