[PigSquealer]

Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

Recently acquired a 1931 USQMC alto. Not many threads on USQMC issued instruments and only one on a Holton Bari that I could find.

Instrument is interesting mix. It is a post Rudy with the low C key with the patent pending stamp. Unlike a Rudy it has a split Bell. It also has the "R" stamped by the serial number. USQMC is stamped under the floral design. This has the high F and original pearls that are concave. Sadly it looks like it was dropped at one point. I'll iron out the dent and straighten the Wire guards. Will be a nice player, but this will be less than pristine. Maybe it served a tour of duty in World War II ? Yes it's worth it.
Anyone have additional information?

 

[PigSquealer]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

This also has a very unusual tenon clamp. It's not bent ! Appears to be original for easier tightening around neck ring.

 

[PigSquealer]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

Dent in bell and bent bell lip was bothering me. Did a little adjusting. Scratches are deep. Oh well.

 

[JayeLID]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

I like the neck thumbscrew actually, LOL. It reminds me of some jobs I have done where I had a neck sans an octave key, and used one of those old-school 'full ring' octave keys from a donor horn... only to discover, once installed (and this usually required a new saddle or re-positioning of the saddle posts if separate posts....so it is never just as easy as 'just slap a new octave key on that puppy') the neck screw indeed interfered with the donor key ring :|

..which sometimes meant the key was a no-go, and sometimes meant I actually next had to unsolder the receiver and rotate it so the screw was out of the way.

Ahhhhh, memories....

Are you gonna polish her up ?... or just leave it smoky silver ?

Are you sure it is 'post-Rudy' ?

 

[PigSquealer]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

I like the neck thumbscrew actually,
Ahhhhh, memories....

Are you gonna polish her up ?... or just leave it smoky silver ?

Are you sure it is 'post-Rudy' ?

Oh the *#$*%^ fix I like the way the tab is indexed. It works for me.

Yep , going to get full cleaning & re-cork, came with like new pads with flat metal resos. No Queen here. All play. Already gave it a toot.

Well this is definitely not a Rudy. Jazzbug would be more knowledgeable than I on this one.
Rudy's for one don't have a split bell

 

[paulwl]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

Not sure a thread on ex-military horns makes *that* much sense. Most are no different from civilian models and the services seem to have bought from all major makers.

2 of my silver Buescher tenors belonged to the Army, a 1932 True-Tone engraved U.S.Q.M.C. and a 1938 Aristocrat marked U.S.

 

[PigSquealer]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

Not sure a thread on ex-military horns makes *that* much sense. Most are no different from civilian models and the services seem to have bought from all major makers.

2 of my silver Buescher tenors belonged to the Army, a 1932 True-Tone engraved U.S.Q.M.C. and a 1938 Aristocrat marked U.S.

Very true!
There really is no difference between a civilian or a military issue. The post is just for interest if anyone else was looking on the subject. The real interest is the item itself. This is a unusual configuration. More or less documenting a post Rudy alto. I am waiting for jazzbug to chime in.
I'm not sure if one has ever been documented.
Thank you for your post. Have you posted your two Beuscher's ?

 

[paulwl]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

they're in different places at the moment but the '32 T-T may be seen in a photo set on Flickr.

here's the '38 Aristocrat when I first purchased it, before overhauling.

 

[PigSquealer]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

they're in different places at the moment but the '32 T-T may be seen in a photo set on Flickr.

here's the '38 Aristocrat when I first purchased it, before overhauling.

Nice tenor! I'm sure it's a beautiful one. Your link to the '32 TT goes only to the main page. Thanks for sharing. Definitely worthy of posting on Buescher owners club thread.
Thanks also for making me rethink the thread title. The Admins (thanks guys) changed the title for me.

 

[paulwl]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

Your link to the '32 TT goes only to the main page.

I've changed the link: https://flic.kr/s/aHskdFPcgS
Flickr has installed a Share option for albums since I posted those.

 

[PigSquealer]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

I've changed the link: Buescher Silver True-Tone Tenor #264012
Flickr has installed a Share option for albums since I posted those.

That link works perfect. Thanks for the fix. A beautiful tenor you have there. Just like my alto it has the big clunky block letters USQMC smack on the front. Just short of 90 years. I wonder how many military instruments of the era are still floating around.

 

[paulwl]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

More than military materiel of other kinds. That was a skeleton era for US forces; stuff either wore out or was scrapped due to obsolescence.

 

[jazzbug1]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

Hello- I've been quiet for a long time- staying healthy. I've never seen a split bell key model with the low C breather key. It appears that Holton was weathering the Depression by finishing up as much of it's inventory of partly-built horns to cut down on production costs, as I have seen some other oddities from 1931-32. My father played in bands from 1929 to 1934. He told me of the drop in pay down to $3.00 per night from as much as $10.00 for a performance. He quit in 1934 to attend business school. Dad played with commercial bands such as Wayne King and Ozzie Nelson. He was a complete drummer (traps) of the day with a Deagan vibrophone, xylophone, and a beautiful set of Leedy drums. Dad bought a big Franklin automobile to carry them in. It was air-cooled and built in Syracuse, N.Y. He was always sorry he quit, as he saw how much enjoyment and $$ I made from playing part-time. I was fortunate to marry a woman with common sense who made me realize the life of a musician is not very secure. I admire those of you who play full-time and have made a go of it. Yours in jealousy, Jazzbug

 

[PigSquealer]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

Hello- I've been quiet for a long time- staying healthy. I've never seen a split bell key model with the low C breather key. It appears that Holton was weathering the Depression by finishing up as much of it's inventory of partly-built horns to cut down on production costs, as I have seen some other oddities from 1931-32. My father played in bands from 1929 to 1934. He told me of the drop in pay down to $3.00 per night from as much as $10.00 for a performance. He quit in 1934 to attend business school. Dad played with commercial bands such as Wayne King and Ozzie Nelson. He was a complete drummer (traps) of the day with a Deagan vibrophone, xylophone, and a beautiful set of Leedy drums. Dad bought a big Franklin automobile to carry them in. It was air-cooled and built in Syracuse, N.Y. He was always sorry he quit, as he saw how much enjoyment and $$ I made from playing part-time. I was fortunate to marry a woman with common sense who made me realize the life of a musician is not very secure. I admire those of you who play full-time and have made a go of it. Yours in jealousy, Jazzbug

That's in part why I bought the instrument. I was not completely sure that I had ever seen a split bell with the low C. And then when I received it the body had the R stamp by the serial number.
Then shortly after appears another split bell with the low C no R stamped on the body. https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?372938-Holton-Rudy-Wiedoeft-Model

I always enjoy your contributions and life stories. It adds life to what these instruments were in the day.
Thanks Jazzbug 1

 

[PigSquealer]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

The project is now on the bench. SOTW.....Sax On The Workbench

Every hinge rod has been soaking in PB blaster for weeks. Just a tiny droplets off tip of screwdriver weekly. All but one palm key rod came loose easily. It has a broken head. To bad this alto appears to have taken a dive on the cement. Otherwise the condition is good. Some larger than desired trough holes in some posts. Made some bushings and flashing others with silver soldering. They are beyond spreading the head slot. This unit has been professionally overhauled at least twice. Several oversized hinge rods & new springs. Pads in newer condition. Brand unknown but definitely different than anything I've seen. Body is straight. Oddly the tone holes have never been touched. 100% of silver plate faces still intact. Both bell keys, low D & C are the only needing leveling attention. Low D&C Hinge tube bushings made to light press fit. Solid brass rod was unavailable. Grrrr had to drill out 1/8 tubing. ID .097 to .1075. Took three try's.

 

[PigSquealer]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

Slow and easy

 

[PigSquealer]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

Gentle is the word working on silver plate. Still need to polish. Just to tidy things up. This alto has no shortage of character patina.

 

[Figaro]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

This is gonna be a beauty. That bell does indeed look like a cement scrape. Ouch. ...and drilling 1/8" tubing. Challenging to say the least. That hinge rod looks mighty rusty.

 

[PigSquealer]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

This key was squished flated somehow. Took a hour gentle massaging this to resemble a flat level and domed key cup. Picture on the stone shows shim under for last adjustment. Fourth picture is starting point. Was difficult to photograph really showing collapsed area.

 

[PigSquealer]

Re: Holton Post Rudy USQMC Alto

Low C bushings. Tubing reamed slightly off center. Oh well I still have tight fit and no free play.