Is this an European or American Super Balanced Action tenor ?

blujazze said:

Looks euro engraving to me. Indiana engravers used more detail and didnt use the same pattern more than once most times. Beautiful horn by the way.

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This is not accurate on all counts except that yes, it is beautiful!

It's most certainly an Elkhart-engraved horn, and original at that. The Elkhart engravers used the exact same pattern on each model with very minor variations. The graver types were a #40 florentine liner for the majority of the work, a #38 flat graver for detail work, a #49 flat for larger fill work and a 1 inch rocker for flower fills. Paris engraving uses only a #42 flat graver and a 1.5" rocker. The English engraving uses a #40 flat, #48/49 flat, and more rarely a rocker.

When the American engraving differs significantly it's either because they slipped or made a mistake while working and had to cover it up, or were requested to do more specifically. If you've seen how work at the factory is done... it's a factory.

They are very unusual, but do come up from time-to-time. Here's an ad that is hard to see, but features the unique deco design that came from the London engraver. I am guessing it had something to do with B&H.

http://www.saxgourmet.com/history/072402/selmerbalancedactionad1.jpg

Here's an example of that style:
http://www.saxpics.com/the_gallery/selmer/balanced_action/alto/lacquer/21yyy_dr/21a.jpg

Finally! After searching high and low...

http://www.saxpics.com/the_gallery/selmer/balanced_action/tenor/lacquer/2797x-jj_gold/BATenor1.JPG

This is certainly an area where more research is warranted.

Michael Ward said:

I've never heard of English engraving Jason. With France being so close I thought horns were just imported. Are there any photos of English engraving compared to French? My alto 107 series has always been a mystery. I bought it new but the horn was engraved then lacquered. Very fine work. Then the horn was stamped with the Selmer stamp, London, Paris, Elkart etc. through the lacquer. Any information? thanks

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