C.G. Korn 40B Conqueror "Vocabell" B♭ Trumpet

"It looks like a pea shooter, but packs the punch of a cannon."
The 1932 C.G. Conn 40B Conqueror, which challenged even the conventions of bell-rimmed horns.

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[Overview]
C.G. Conn B♭ Vintage Trumpet
Model: 40B Conqueror

Bell: 110mm / Double-walled yellow brass
Bell Specifications: Vocabell / Rimless
Bore: .459" (ML size)
Finish: Nearly raw brass condition
Weight: 1155g (measured)
Year of Manufacture: 1932

Accessories: None / Instrument only

[Condition]
It appears that this instrument was originally finished in a raw brass finish (highly polished brass) at the time of manufacture; traces of a lacquer finish applied in later years are visible, but it is currently in a nearly raw brass condition. There are scattered marks where dents have been repaired and small, shallow dents on the bell flare, the body of the bell, and the rear of the bell. There is a shallow dent on the inside of the straight section at the base of the bell (sold as-is). It has a repair history involving the removal of the front and rear bell supports (solder marks remain).The interior has been cleaned, and the instrument has undergone general maintenance, tuning, and replacement of soft parts.

[Features]
The C.G. CONN 40B Conqueror, known by the nickname “Peashooter” due to its distinctive, slender silhouette that tapers forward.This model was manufactured starting in 1932, and this particular instrument dates from 1932, among the very first produced. At the time, not only CONN but also Buescher and Martin were producing similar slender styles; while this form may seem eccentric to modern eyes, it was one of the trends in modern trumpet design around 1930.

Its most distinctive feature is the unique bell structure that CONN dubbed “Vocabell.” Unlike typical bells, which feature a curled rim and a bell wire, this is a rimless design formed seamlessly all the way to the tip of the bell. This is not merely a matter of omitting the wire; it stems from a design philosophy aimed at allowing the entire bell to vibrate more freely while maintaining the necessary strength by adjusting the thickness of the bell itself.In this instrument, it is paired with a compact, two-piece bell measuring 110 mm, and despite its slender appearance, it produces a surprisingly rich, dense, and well-defined sound with excellent projection.

At the time, CONN strongly promoted the Vocabell, claiming it could produce greater volume with less effort than a standard bell and deliver a clearer, more uniform tone. Advertisements even featured what now seems like a surprisingly bold claim—stating that measurements taken at CBS Studios showed it was “12–15 dB louder.” While these figures were, of course, based solely on the manufacturer’s claims at the time, they clearly demonstrate just how strongly CONN was positioning the Vocabell as an innovative design.

And the 40B isn’t just distinctive because of its bell. From the substantial valve casing with its 12-sided outer contour to the elaborate water key reminiscent of 1930s Art Deco, and the unique finger hook that complements the slender body—every detail is a sight to behold. Unlike modern, functionalist designs, the aesthetic sensibility of that era—which simultaneously emphasized both function and form—is alive and well throughout the instrument.

Its form is that of a “pea shooter,” but its power is cannon-class.
Even now, more than 90 years later, this is an exceptionally distinctive vintage trumpet that powerfully conveys the free-thinking and experimental spirit of the manufacturer CONN.