[MasterWannabe]

I have acquired this good looking old York alto but it does not appear to be a J. W. York. The only engraving/stamping I can find is the nice elaborate engraving on the bell and the serial #40xx at thew bottom of the body. I would have guessed the date of manufacture to be in the '20s but the York serial number list dates this to around 1907. The horn has the feel of an old horn as the brass is heavy and the keywork is quality.
I have had a JW York from the mid '20s and the feel was quite similar but that is where it ends.

I would appreciate any info someone might have.

3 40xx

 

[Mope]

I think it's much newer like the '60s.

 

[polemonium]

From the pinky tables, and general appearance, I think it is a stencil saxophone probably made by Malerne and engraved for York. It is a little obscure who made the saxes with these pinky tables as some seem to have come from Malerne in France, and later ones from Santoni in Italy. The serial number wouldn't follow the York-made serial number list. Probably post-WW2, maybe 1950s?

Here's pics of a similar York/Malerne sax: American Makes & Models / JW York / Stencils Made for York / Malerne / Eb Alto - sn unknown - Lacquer |

 

[JayeLID]

Yes ...Malerne, France... or Santoni, Italy. There was an interconnectedness between those two. Possibly Santoni made the parts and shipped to Malerne where they were assembled at Malerne factory...or possibly just keywork and guards, etc.
Sometimes there's an Italy or France stamp someplace on the horn body...but maybe not in the case of their stencils for York.

I agree, post-war up until perhaps early 60's, when these changed to sheet metal keyguards...

The 'real' York, the original one which had its own factory, ceased to exist sometime just before the war I think. The name brand was purchased a few times between then and the 70's, everything subcontracted out to other instrument mfr's...

So it is either one of those. Good players these are, nice tone, robust construction. Pinky table is far from slick, though...but still certainly not a bad second-shelfer from the past. Market value of these is low, maybe $350 in good play condition, $100 or so as a fixer...