Elkhart Conn 8D French Horn

This vintage Conn 8D French Horn, was made in Elkhart, Indiana in the late 1950’s (serial number 624XXX). Conn 8D’s of this era are known for being excellent instruments and are highly sought-after. This particular instrument was well-played, as it belonged to professional musician, the late Leo Sacchi.

Mr. Sacchi played with the Denver Symphony, Orlando Symphony, and 18 seasons with the Houston Symphony and was known for his book Studies on the Natural Horn, published in 1967. (For more information about Mr. Sacchi, please see )

The 8D is a copy of the original Kruspe double horn made in 1902 for Anton Horner, Principal Horn of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Horner was so enthusiastic about the horn, he had the Kruspe instruments made to his specifications (the Horner model) shipped from Germany for sale in the United States. In 1938, Conn made a copy of this instrument and named it the 8D; for over 60 years the 8D has been the workhorse for the majority of professional orchestral musicians, both on the East and West Coast. It is also the instrument most often heard in film scores.

Out of the Conn 8D’s that are available for sale, those with the name ‘Elkhart’ stamped on the bell are highly prized, and many are looking for instruments with serial numbers starting with 442,000 or later (these instruments have tapered valves).