How old is my Evette Schaeffer tenor saxophone

[clairebear]

I have a very nice Evette Schaeffer tenor saxophone. The bell is marked "Evette Schaeffer Paris". The serial number is 12072. This is an old pro sax, (I believe) and I would love to get more information about its origin and worth. Any advise is greatly appreciated.

[MJ]

Hello!

I have an alto, serial #12,XXX, that I'm similarly curious about. Did you read my question about 10 postings down? Mostly alto guy replied with some good range information on the age of my sax.
The best guess I can make is that my sax was made in the early 1930s. Check out saxpics.com concerning Buffet saxophones, then make your own best guess.
What is not a guess is the way these instruments play, very nicely indeed. I don't know the value of your tenor. EBay and online vintage sax shop personnel might help with value. In general, I have come to believe a sax like this, where little information is known about it, is worth maybe a couple hundred dollars more than the cost of a complete overhaul ($500-900).
Please take my information for what it's worth from a person with only a couple years playing experience. I hope an expert comes along to answer your questions and mine!

[clairebear]

I believe my tenor is pre-Buffet, but do you know how to tell? Thanks for the info.

[MJ]

Your best bet is to go to saxpics.com and click on "Buffet." When you do this, the screen shows pictures of sax models and the inclusive dates of their manufacture. There are also links to serial numbers, forums and other sources on Buffet history there.
Among the curious facts are the link between Buffet and Evette-Schaeffer Saxophone Companies, caused when Evette-Schaeffer bought the Buffet Company in the late 1800s.
Another source for information is this forum and its archived version.
Good luck!