[charlie skarker]

I'm about to purchase a Mark VII alto serial number 232,XXX and am wondering if anyone has come across the following finish. The body is gold lacquer however the keys are all silver including the octave key on the neck. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

View attachment 71338 View attachment 71339

 

[bruce bailey]

This looks like my Mark VI. I got it in Europe where different finishes were popular. Some were gold lacquered, some silver plated, some....
Also it may not have engraving as that was an option.

 

[charlie skarker]

I did a bit of research into both Mark VI and Mark VII as this horn is rather close to the beginning of the selmer serial range (which people often question the reliability of). I don't think it's a mark VI as I think it has the ergonomic RH Eb/C key group , it has been engraved and is also stamped as a mark VI. I am yet to see any pictures of a Mark VII with this finish so that's why I posted this question.

 

[Fluer66]

I had a later Mark VII (289,XXX) in this finish...lacquered body and bell with silver plated keywork...European engraving. It was a great alto BTW

 

[Douglas Pipher]

Yes, Selmer Paris did make Altos with a lacquer body and silver-plated keys in the 232k range.
In addition, they made both Mark VI and Mark VII horns in the 232k range.

Any chance you can share more photos of your horn?

 

[Mike F]

In addition, they made both Mark VI and Mark VII horns in the 232k range.

Indeed. I have a 238xxx MKVI tenor. Douglas, I don't mean to hijack the thread, but as a matter of interest and as you happened to bring it up, what is the highest MKVI SN you have come across? I've heard of 240xxx 6's, but any higher?

 

[Pete Thomas]

I'm about to purchase a Mark VII alto serial number 232,XXX and am wondering if anyone has come across the following finish. The body is gold lacquer however the keys are all silver including the octave key on the neck. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

This was an option on both MKVIs and MKVis, I've seen quite a few.

 

[charlie skarker]

Any chance you can share more photos of your horn?

No problem

View attachment 71375 View attachment 71376 View attachment 71377

There was a few more but I'm having trouble uploading them.

 

[Dr G]

No problem

There was a few more but I'm having trouble uploading them.

Irony??? :bluewink:

 

[Douglas Pipher]

Mike, I do not have photos of any Mark VI Altos after 240,9xx and Tenors after 238,3xx.
But, there seem to have been Mark VI altos and Tenors sold into the Euro market (particularly to Germany) well into the 253k range at least.
I am keeping a lookout in the Euro buy and sells to try to find one.

 

[Douglas Pipher]

Charlie, thanks for the additional photos.
Your Mark VII Alto was built in August 1975 and shipped with a Lacquered body and Silver keys.
The Mark VI altos in the 232k range were produced about eight months earlier.

 

[Mike F]

Mike, I do not have photos of any Mark VI Altos after 240,9xx and Tenors after 238,3xx.
But, there seem to have been Mark VI altos and Tenors sold into the Euro market (particularly to Germany) well into the 253k range at least.
I am keeping a lookout in the Euro buy and sells to try to find one.

Thanks, Douglas. My tenor is 238898. I can give you some photos if you wish. Interestingly, I bought it in the UK but it had come from Germany!

Charlie, thanks for the additional photos.
Your Mark VII Alto was built in August 1975 and shipped with a Lacquered body and Silver keys.
The Mark VI altos in the 232k range were produced about eight months earlier.

I've never seen that 'star' stamp before the M prefix and the SN before. Can you shed any light?

 

[Noj the Terrible]

I am curious about the star also, I have never seen that before.

 

[Douglas Pipher]

I have photos of several horns with the star prefix. All of them are early Mark VII horns.
I'd like to get my hands on one to make some measurements before offer an opinion.