Expert: Kenton Scott - 4/9/2009

Question
I found an old LeBlanc flugelhorn in an antique shop recently and despite my being a sax player I couldn't pass it up.  I tried to find info on it online, but with no success.  The serial number is 6435, marked Made in France, G. LeBlanc Paris.  It has a mouthpiece marked "Vincent Bach Corp. 10-1/2C FL.  It has a neat coin looking piece as part of the support that is marked with two faces and the words "LeBlanc Paris Manufacture aritistique de'instruments de musique".  Anything you could tell me about this instrument and how old it might be would be greatly appreciated.  

Thanks so much for your time,
Bill

Answer
Leblanc was started in 1904 as a woodwind maker in La Couture and Paris. Their brass instrument production was done by other French makers, mainly Courtois. The company expanded to Kenosha WI in 1946.

In 1971 Leblanc took over the Martin assets, moving them to Kenosha, Wisconsin.

In October 2004, LeBlanc/Holton was purchased by Conn-Selmer, Inc., the musical conglomerate owned by Steinway, that now includes Bach, Selmer USA, King, Conn, Benge, LeBlanc, Holton and Martin.

There are no serial number lists of which I am aware for Leblanc instruments.