"Chu" Soprano question

[Docax]

Quick question: My outstanding 209xxx Conn silverplate soprano New Wonder does not have a nailfile G# key, it's smooth. Every other one around this serial # I've seen live or pictured has the nailfile. Is this just less common, rare, or a bastardized part?

It doesn't matter a bit to me for playing, I'm just curious if this is an exception.

[Zman]

Docax, mine has the nailfile G#. I suggest that you fire an email to either Steve Goodson (saxgourmet.com) or Gayl Fredenburg (vintagesax.com) for an answer.

[paulwl]

Maybe it's worn smooth! A couple of my G# plates have (not by me, though - it must take decades).

[sarge]

If is is smooth and rounded at the edges, I would guess bastardized... they are interchangable so a tech could, sfor instance if your sax's original nailfiile G# was broken. Sometimes users try to bend them with bad results. if only saxes could talk!
there's always the inevitable question, did Conn slip in an old stock part... well, typically they would not, but occasionally they did! I have see untouched Conns, with parts on them that spanned a 7 or 8 year spread.

IMO, it doesn't affect the value or playablility of your horn whatsoever... so it's just an interesting conversation piece.
good luck,
sarge