[StarGarnet]

I have a silver tenor Selmer New York with a SN P7430. It plays well, and I was wondering: Is it a specific Buescher or Conn model? If it helps, the B and Bb keys on the bell are on opposite sides (is there a reason for that?) and was made for truly giant hands.

 

[milandro]

pictures are always the best to identify anything and more so when it comes to stencils. Pre 1930 horns had often split bell keys. This is what one of the best techs around here , Bruce Bailey had to say in a past thread about it

Placing the bell keys on the left is easier to make from a keywork standpoint, they can be one piece. Placing them on the right keeps them away from the leg if you play on the side. Placing the opposing on both sides makes it easier to have strength on the tubing as the tone holes don't sit so close together.

 

[VintageSaxGuy]

With a P prefix, it's likely a Conn.

Pictures would be very helpful .

 

[Dave Dolson]

Most, if not all (I could have missed an obscure brand or two) pre-1930 saxophones had split bell pads. I suspect that is just the way it was done then. The move to the left side came next (early 1930's), then they moved to the right side of the bell (I suspect with the entrance of Selmer's Balanced Action model). I'm sure some who prefer more detail can enhance those claims, but once the bell pads moved to the left, I think the split bell pads were abandoned. Again, there may be some obscure brands that didn't follow that trend or were late in doing so, but with Conns, Bueschers, Selmers, and Kings, that was the case. DAVE

 

[bruce bailey]

Yes, the P in the serial number makes it a Conn (without the rolled tone holes).