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Buffet one piece C clarinet. tea pot key and low E flat. 1912 Worth restoring?

Author: singinbec
Date: 2013-01-10 06:18

Post Edited (2013-01-10 06:51)
I found a very unique one piece body wooden Buffet clarinet at a flea market for $14. It is in rough shape but so unique and beautiful. I know it will need a full over haul and I am wondering what that would cost and if this clarinet is worth it.
About the clarinet. I have not been able to find one like it on line or much information about it. Here is what I think I know.
It has a one piece body with barrel and bell. All 3 pieces have the same Buffet imprint. It is 2 inches longer than my B flat clarinet and has an extra key below the low E which I assume is the extended E flat. The open G is pitched to A on my piano. So I believe it is a C clarinet. It has the wrap around tea pot register key.
It will only play an open G. The keys are so corroded and don't work. The springs need replacing as do all the pads. It will only play open G but has a beautiful tone.
The keys buff out quite well and will a lot of polishing they can be made beautiful again. It does not seem to be plated as I buffed very hard and only found pitting metal on keys, no wearing away of silver. It might be German silver. The corrosion on the metal does not look like gray tarnish, it is greenish. Does anyone know what Buffet would have made the keys from in 1912? And what kind of wood it most likely is?
From what I can tell this is a very rare instrument. The wood is beautiful and the only crack is in the bell. The rest is very solid. It is missing the back thumb rest. The mouth piece is not wood. But the ligature is the same metal and shows the same age. The mouth piece does not have any markings on it at all.
The serial number starts clearly starts with 1 H and is followed by 3 more numbers that appear to be 379, but are very difficult to read. 1H 379 would date it 1912.
All 3 pieces have the imprinted into the wood BC logo that says
Buffet Crampon and Cie A Paris BC.
Under the logo on the barrel and the body is just says Made in France LP.
But under the logo on the bell it also says
C. Fisher New York before the Made in France LP

That is all I know about this clarinet. I am a pianist and only play clarinet occasionally since college. I am curious of the value of this clarinet. I am wondering if it is worth repairing and playing or should I just keep it on my studio wall as a great piece of history. Any opinions and information welcome.

Post Edited (2013-01-10 06:52)

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