This is a Wessex Contra Bass Trombone. It is a replica model by Wessex that looks and nearly sounds like the Thein and Rath horns. I gave it a whirl myself and was impressed that it can get overtones. It has free-flow valves. It took quite awhile to get them oiled and working as well as my Besson hagmann valves and they require more attention to stay working that well but they can work well. They need to be checked fairly often because you need to use the valves to play most of the ntoes. Unlike tenor and bass trombone, the valves keep you from over extending your arm and inventing positions off the slide. It's a lot like the issue with hitting that low B on a tenor trombone. The valves keep you further in and still let you hit all the notes. I find myself using a tuba embouchure with the larger mouthpiece. A large bore mouthpiece can fit but it doesn't seem to get the tone. I didn't try other mouthpieces. I took the time to figure out the positions with a chart I can send you but never got around to doing a concert or really getting interested in using the horn. I ended up just picking up a tuba in class to keep from crashing around the room with this since it's so long and tall. I never did have moisture in the valves enough to use the spit valves but they're there and working. I left all the pins in as well. There are pins on the bracing for the bell section to come apart. I never found a reason to take it apart so it has stayed intact and mostly in the case all this time for the last two years. I still have the original packaging as seen in the picture. There are no dents on the trombone and no serious scratches. There may be some light scratches from the wrapper. The Chinese horns tend to have less lacquer. Please request photos if you would like more.