TubeNet

A friend recently bought this, and wonders if we can help with the place & approximate date of origin:
(His email):

On the bell between the mouthpiece and the bell (first picture below), is stamped the following:



Class

A

(something in a banner)

(Besson logo, I think)



Besson & Co.

"Prototype"



193(?) Euston Road

London, England



(star)



CARL FISCHER

C. 4TH Av.N.Y.

(something I can't read)





And on the 3rd valve above the serial number and on the 4th valve it says



Besson & Co.

Brevete

Links to photos:

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad10 ... InCase.jpg
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad10 ... e/Bell.jpg
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad10 ... /Front.jpg
http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad10 ... e/Back.jpg

Thanks for your time and expertise!

This is a "short" model baritone.

The the address should, in fact, be 198 Euston Road.
"Prototype" was how Besson referred to their manufacturing technique.
Because the distributor is Carl Fischer and not Louis Schreiber it was made after 1884, but you will need to look up the serial number to determine when.
Under "6 4th Av. N.Y." it likely says "Sole Agent U. States".

Grown partially in the British inspired brass band movement this is not a baritone to me. It is too wide bore for that.

This type of instrument is just a shade more narrow than a euphonium and it is a French type called Saxhorn basse en Si bémol. As the British maker Besson was out of French roots, it is not too odd that a French design made in UK ends up in the US.

When people request an instrument dated, the full serial number is as important as the maker’s name.

Klaus

Serial #: 101133
Bell dimaeter: 10 3/4 in.
Bore: 9/16 (.563)

As to nomenclature, I tend to agree with Klaus, although the distinctions were probably not so well-defined at the turn of the century.

http://www.musictrader.com/besson.html

would indicate the year being between 1914 and 1917.

Klaus