Expert: Kenton Scott - 1/4/2009

Question
My husband found his deceased father's Selmer Mark VI sax which he guesses is quite old as his dad played in an army band during World War II.  The serial number is M102314.  If you could tell me anything about this instrument and where we might go to get it appraised and possibly restored we would very much appreciate it.
Thank you ,
Judy

Answer
Saxes aren't my area, but. . .

The Mark VI doesn't go back as far as WWII.  So, it can't be that old, and according to http://www.horn-u-copia.net/selmerlist.html it appears that this horn was made in 1962.

You can get a good sense of the value of the horn by watching completed auctions on eBay, but you can be assured that Mark VIs always bring a good price.  

If you plan to sell it, you probably should sell it as is.  Restoring it would raise its value, but not as much as the repairs would cost you.