[AviOnTenor]

Im going to buy a 183,xxx Mark VI tenor and I noticed that it doesn't have the R in a circle next to the "Mark VI" logo (on the part that connects the bow and the bell).
It does have that R on the bell (where the selmer logo is).
Couldnt get a picture of that tenor, but here's a 146,xxx alto that I found on SaxPics which describes the case:

http://www.saxpics.com/?v=gal&a=1537

http://www.saxpics.com/cpg143/albums/Selmer/mark_vi/alto/low_bb/silver/146xxx/a.jpg

I just want to know why is that, or if these horns are fake (?!)

 

[jakethesax]

I'm pretty sure I've had a couple of Mk vi tenors like that, late ones...
I couldn't tell you why, but hazarding at a guess maybe the R was to do with some kind of patent registration process?

 

[spike421]

The circled R is for a U. S. registered trademark. If the horn was originally meant for other markets (Europe, Asia) it may have been left off; especially since U. S. horns were engraved here until the 70's, while all others and current horns were/are engraved in France.

 

[beezer]

I'm pretty sure that the R in the circle is for Trademark Registration - here in the UK anyway.
Here, the R was not introduced on the bell for the first couple or so years of 6 production. My 60xxx tenor does not have it.
Interestingly in the late 50's and early 60's, it was commonly thought that the 6's without the R in amongst the main bell engraving were duds (yes, I can remember this!). How opinions change!
I don't know about the bow ring markings though.
Dave

 

[Mike F]

One of a number of frequent confusions between French and American assembled horns.

European MKVI's didn't have 'MKVI' engraved or stamped anywhere on the body or bow until the late 60's when the bow was stamped MARK VI. No R. The American assembled horns were always engraved MARK VI with an R on the bow (and also sometimes elsewhere as well) and later they were stamped MARK VI with an R on the bow.

 

[saxmusicguy]

Check this out: http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?145705-upside-down-quot-R-quot-on-Mk6-bell