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Re: A good laugh.....

Author: BartHx
Date: 2014-05-23 01:32

Barry:
The Selmer Model 55 was made only in 1945. Early in that year (the M64xx serial number indicates early 1945), the copper needed to make sterling silver was far more valuable to both sides in the manufacturer of munitions. The Model 55 was made in France and, as I recall, that country was fairly central to the fighting that was bringing World War II to an end at that time.

Bruno:
1) I can assure you that at least one Selmer Model 55 was made with solid silver keys. I own it. My wife collects silver items (and I am a retired chemistry instructor) and I used her test kit on a couple of keys that are worn badly enough to significantly expose any structural metal. It is 96% - 98% silver all the way through.
2) In my previous post, I made it clear that the metal in these keys is far too soft and easily bent for the intended use. I have seen many clarinets with wear on silver plating that exposes the structural metal. However, this is the only clarinet I have ever seen with the ring keys worn nearly all the way through on one edge without the slightest change in the appearance of the metal.

I have no idea what was involved in forming the keys. I was not in Paris in 1945.

I eventually want to get the ring keys rebuilt, but I have no plans to ever use it as a regular player. It has a beautiful tone but, as a collector of old Selmers, that is not its value to me.

As an aside, sterling silver is 92.5% silver and coin silver is 90% silver.

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A good laugh..... new

DavidBlumberg

2014-05-20 07:17