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 old Selmer Identity
Author: stevesklar 
Date:   2007-03-10 11:15

I've had an Selmer shop clarinet for some time which I'm just now getting too. The serial numbers are buffed out so much that I cannot identify which model it is. It's in the middle of a restoration right now so the keywork is off but I'm curious of it's vintage.

It does have the newer emblem.
http://www.saxmaniax.com/work/CLSelmerHouse/Selmer1.jpg

It also has the old thumbrest - 1 screw top and bottom
http://www.saxmaniax.com/work/CLSelmerHouse/Selmer2.jpg

Cutout for the RH spatula keys
http://www.saxmaniax.com/work/CLSelmerHouse/Selmer3.jpg

a triangular emblem under the Selmer on the Bell (a quick fill so you can see it - it was mostly buffed out) that also says 'Sole Agents US CAN' 'Selmer' in a scrolll banner and 'New York' barely visible at the bottom inside the triangle.
http://www.saxmaniax.com/work/CLSelmerHouse/Selmer4.jpg

The 'Patent' Brevette S.D.G.D. under the top joint emblem with the old simple trill key rest holder.
http://www.saxmaniax.com/work/CLSelmerHouse/Selmer5.jpg

serial number ends in 744 and preceeded by something (spaced out though) that looks like a square. THe serial number is only on the bottom joint - no sight of it on the top joint (if it was there, it was probably buffed out a long time ago)
http://www.saxmaniax.com/work/CLSelmerHouse/Selmer6.jpg

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Steve

==========
Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information

Post Edited (2007-03-10 11:18)

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: John O'Janpa 
Date:   2007-03-10 15:18

Steve,

If the bell is original to the clarinet it is around 1930 or so. The late "K"s had the bell insignia, and at least some of the "R.I.s" had it. (Some Selmer metal clarinets also had it.)

I'm not sure of the exact span of time, but someone else on this board will probably know.

I would guess 1930 plus or minus three years.

John

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: Don Berger 
Date:   2007-03-10 15:40

The Brevette S G D G [ an indication of gov. filed papers [prob. patemt appl.] but no gov. guarantee [of validity]] appears on my 1929 Selmer {winged + HS} A but not on my 1932 RI FB, which shows "Depose". When I have a bit of time, I'll compare your logos etc with mine. Will post findings, unless other info is posted. Don

Thanx, Mark, Don

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: stevesklar 
Date:   2007-03-10 19:13

I noticed on Selmer metal clarinets - one pic that I found that was 1771 circa 1929 had the same emblem on the bell - or approx, I could make it out all the way.

So I'm guessing my 744 is either K7844, K8844, K9844 or L 844

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2007-03-10 20:01

With the size of the square and what appears to be diagonal lines deep within it, I'd suspect it's probably a 'K' series.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: Bill 
Date:   2007-03-10 22:45

It has to be K at earliest. My K 27xx has the old H. Selmer circular logo. I have L296 (three digits) and there is NO "Brevete."

What puzzles me is the ring on the bottom of the lower joint.

Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)


Post Edited (2007-03-10 22:48)

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: stevesklar 
Date:   2007-03-10 23:13

Bill,

The ring on the lower joint fixes a slightly splintered & chipped tenon.

Steve

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: stevesklar 
Date:   2007-03-11 12:10

Chris,

You know, that pic I took is better than looking through a magnifying glass.

I'm thinking it's either K744 - which it can't due to the logo.

or L744. If you look closely at the pic there could be remnants of an "L" sticking out to the right of the middle of the cut out square, and a little top part of an L at the top. But then, it could just be grain and/or scratches too.

why can't people take better care of their 77 year old instruments ;-]

Steve

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2007-03-11 12:52

I'ts certainly been through the wars!

I can see the RH finger 3 chimney has been replaced as well.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: stevesklar 
Date:   2007-03-11 13:56

Chris,

Yes that picture really shows the variance in color of that RH chimney doesn't it !! Stcks out badly in that pic.

Luckily the replacement was done very well.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to work on it. I've had the keys off for probably at least 6 months .. too much other stuff I'm doing.

I'm still looking at the SN .. maybe that block cutout is an 8 and the K is somewhere buffed out before it ......

I'd go with K744 if we had an inkling that the Logo was mixed for a few years.

I had a customer with two early articulated clarinets. One old logo, one new. His brother was the original owner and the serial numbers were both the same letter and only a couple hundred separate. I'll have to get back to him and confirm the SN#s one of these days.

Steve


Chris P wrote:

> I'ts certainly been through the wars!
>
> I can see the RH finger 3 chimney has been replaced as well.
>

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: super20dan 
Date:   2007-03-11 16:30

my old brevete k selmer is very similar to this one except mine has articulated g# .

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: Bill 
Date:   2007-03-11 17:55

I had a "winged globe" Selmer and there was just no making out the serial number. That drives somebody like me wild - just nuts. I took the close-up photos into Photoshop, hoping by some manipulation that the number would pop out. No luck.

The fact that you have the "new" logo with "Brevete" is interesting in itself, for I had always assumed "Brevete" went out with the H. Selmer circle.

Bill.

Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)


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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: super20dan 
Date:   2007-03-12 00:54

mine also has brevete below the selmer circle on the top joint

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: DH818 
Date:   2007-03-12 11:50

I have a K series in the shop somewhere that's identical if memory serves. I'll try to find it today.

Donald C Hinson

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: DH818 
Date:   2007-03-12 22:25

This is K6090 that I think is identical to yours.

Donald C Hinson

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: DH818 
Date:   2007-03-12 22:35
Attachment:  DSCN3580.JPG (355k)

Try again for the picture...

Donald C Hinson

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: stevesklar 
Date:   2007-03-13 01:09

Donald - tilted emblem and all - looks the same from that perspective

So we'll assume it's a K model and last 3 digits 744

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: stevesklar 
Date:   2007-03-13 22:54

FYI with Donalds help we've basically come to the conclusion that it's L 744

Thanks Donald !!

unless .....

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: Bill 
Date:   2007-03-13 23:15

You meant "K" 744, right?

Bill.

Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)


Post Edited (2007-03-13 23:23)

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: stevesklar 
Date:   2007-03-15 03:11

Bill,
Actually L744.
The K744 would have the early emblem.

Donald gave some bore information of the Ks and early Ls where the same.

Of course, we may never know.

Steve

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2007-03-15 11:06

Do you know someone that works in forensics?

They have ways of finding out serial numbers that have been oblitterated - such as the filed off serial number on a chainsaw engine block used to cut up a frozen body!

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: Bill 
Date:   2007-03-15 19:36

Steve,

I have L296 (three digits) and there is no Brevette marking - it's the standard mark of the later 40s and 50s Selmers. Since L744 would be later than mine, I suspect something is amiss here.

Bill.

Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)


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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: stevesklar 
Date:   2007-03-15 20:00

maybe I'll just throw it in the fireplace before I pull all my hair out

.. then i'd probably be shifting through the ashes trying to find the serial number remnants ...

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: Molloy 
Date:   2007-03-16 21:00

I'd bet money it's K5744. That 'box' looks like it was a 5.

The combination of the Wreath logo and Brevete trademark begins no earlier than K3775 and ends no later than K6146.

Now, as for dating K5744, that is still a difficult matter. There's conflicting data that puts it around either 1927 or 1933. I'm working on it!

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: Molloy 
Date:   2007-03-16 21:04

Just to verify for my records (since yours is the latest serial number I've recorded for this), on your K6090 the thumb rest is held by one screw above and one below, and the LH pinky keys are mounted on a single post?

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: Bill 
Date:   2007-03-16 21:30



Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)


Post Edited (2007-03-18 10:09)

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 Re: old Selmer Identity
Author: Molloy 
Date:   2007-03-17 18:24

Is there an 'auxilliary serial number' on the two main joints? Upstairs it would be roughly between the F & G toneholes, a little bit to the side (so it's almost hidden when the keys are on), downstairs it'd be front and center around the level of the G tonehole. My guess is that your number will be 770 or so.

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