Hello!

I recently acquired (found) this instrument and I'm not sure exactly what it is or what to call it. I am completely new to brass instruments, but I have quickly become quite fond of it.

(The forum doesn't seem to allow my to post links to my pictures, perhaps because this is my first post. I will try to in another post.)

Based on my internet research, I think it has 3 top-action piston valves and a forward facing bell. The engraving says. "Couesnon 105 Rue La Fayette Paris made in France 51282." I have looked for that serial number in several places, but I can't find it.

I'm not looking to sell it. I would like to learn how to play it, help function as well as possible and make it look as nice as possible. I mostly just want to know what to call it (BBb something?)

I bathed it and oiled the valves - I've gotten some nice sounding (to me) sounds to come out of it. It has some dents here and there, but they don't seem to be especially big.

Any information/advice/comments would be greatly appreciated. I can post more pictures, of that would help.

Thanks!

Based on the length of the valve tubing I think it is a tuba.  What is the diameter of the bell?

The bell is 15.5" in diameter

We have this one in the database, it is actually a horn I had here at one time, but I never bothered to measure it.  Anyway, it does appear that the tubing matches, bell size is hard to compare.  I remember it was a small bell, however,

Based on your description of the bell marking, I would guess that your horn was made in the 1950s. The Lafayette name came out around this time as a student level model and they are quite common to find in the US.