B&S Symphonie question

[pjv]

Way back in the late '70's I bought my Symphonie from Gary Buttery. Until this day I just took for granted that the serial number he gave me was correct and it most probably is. I never really tried to find it until now. I expected it to be on the mpc receiver but it ain't there. Of coarse I've no idea if he'd swapped out the receiver for another before I bought the horn.
The number is 139xxx, conical bore, origianaly with clockwork springs. Anyone have an idea where I should look for this number?

Thanks, Pat

[TheBerlinerTuba]

Hello Pat,

The serial number should be on the receiver. It's likely the horn originally came with a bass trombone receiver that was then swapped out for a standard tuba version, hence no serial number.

best regards,
2165

[cjk]

Mine is in the bell close to the receiver. The receiver and bell are original to the tuba and my serial number is only five digits.

[pjv]

Thanks for the input gentleman. I'll check the bell (again). It's an unlacquered horn so the color pallet makes it a challenge. (Lots of red!). Sorry, I just not into polishing.

My guess is then that the entire lead pipe was swapped. I'm assuming that my tuba does have a mpc receiver because when I shine a light into the opening I see a point about an inch or two down where it meets up with the mouthpipe. I see this "ring" on all my US tubas but not on my old Alex. Correct assumption?

If indeed the mouthpipe was replaced than they sure got it right. This horn has even better intonation than my King. (OK, the B&S has 5 valves and its pitched higher so maybe that's cheating).

I'll see if I can dig up a pic for the curious.

Thanks!

[bububassboner]

Mine is on the back side of the bell. Five digits and made in DDR.

[imperialbari]

Have you looked at the bridge carrying the posts for the paddle axle?

[pjv]

Eureka! Found it on the bell hiding in a copper/zinc separation blotch. No wonder I couldn't find it. 139xxx Made in GDR.

Thanks gentlemen for all your tips. I've looked around quite a bit on the net to try figure out what year it was made but to no avail. If ant of you have a guesstimate I'd be interested.

Thanks, Patrick

[pjv]

and now with reduced size pic's