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H Bettony Boston Silver Clarinet Army U.S.Q.M.C.

Author: NHBCOS1-1
Date: 2017-07-24 22:48
Attachment: Pat & Bb.jpg (1071k)
Attachment: Bell.jpg (1518k)
Attachment: Serial#.jpg (957k)

I came across an H Bettony Boston Silver Clarinet U.S. Army standard with U.S.Q.M.C. (I assume stands for US Army Quartermaster Corps)

It has a separate barrel that slide tunes. There is a Bb stamped between the "A" key and the Patent marking.

U.S. Patent # 1705634 (Filed in 1927) and serial # A384

UPDATE: there is the number 84 stamped under the left pinky keys.

After some research, Some sites say it is a Army contract procured Silve-Bet, but it seems the barrel of the Silva-Bet features a telescoping mechanism for tuning the instrument. There are at least two varieties of tuning barrel, one with a thick head and two slim rotating rings at the top, the other with a thin head with a single rotating sleeve in the middle. This one has a detachable barrel that slide tunes.

I'm looking for more info about the instrument. i.e. year of manufacture, actual model name (understanding that it might be an Army specific variant of a standard model.)

If you have a guess on value or quality that would be nice, but not really needed.

I like the horn overall and will probably replace pads for a fun project and see then if it goes in my collection or becomes a table lamp.

Post Edited (2017-07-24 23:29)

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Re: H Bettony Boston Silver Clarinet Army U.S.Q.M.C.

Author: Ursa
Date: 2017-07-25 02:18

The finish of the instrument, rolled tone holes, and bell details suggest to me that it's a derivative of the Boston Wonder model.

A small step below the Silva-Bet in the Bettoney lineup, it should be a good clarinet once fixed up. If it can be restored, please do not make a lamp out of this. This is not a cheap student metal clarinet.

Value? Assuming the mechanism is complete and not rusted, and the body isn't bent or dented, I'd put it at $80-$120 as is.

Cheers...Greg

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