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Normandy Special Clarinet

Author: svcompassrose
Date: 2020-12-05 08:18

I took up saxophone in retirement and have played for about 5 years and have done reasonably well. I played clarinet for a year in junior high and thought it would be fun to try it again.

I won a Normandy Special in an online auction ($36 delivered) and it arrived today.

I tightened a loose pivot screw, did a little fiddling, and -- it plays, but I think it will get better with a repad, which I will do myself. I've done 3 saxes and a flute, so I think I can muddle my way through.

I've done some searching, but can't find a serial number list that includes this horn. Engravings identify it as a definitely a Normandy "Special" made by Noblet. The serial number is 0574D. The case is the same style as the one I had as a kid in 1968. The case is labeled LEBLANC in gold letters on a red background.

The horn looks to be in nice enough shape that I think it was a personal horn rather than a school-owned band instrument, so I assume the case is original. I guess that would date it to after Leblanc bought Noblet, unless Noblet made stencils before the buyout.

Does anybody have an idea when the horn was made or what the D at the end of the serial number stands for?

Eric

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Re: Normandy Special Clarinet

Author: Ursa
Date: 2020-12-07 22:53

The Normandy Specials with letter suffixes in the serial number were produced after the Normandy 5 and 10 were introduced around 1954. Your Special is probably from around 1958.

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