Expert: Kenton Scott - 7/29/2006

Question
Hi, thank you taking the time to read my question, I have a very old Conn soprano sax that I am trying to identify and appraise, from what I understand most of the historical information on Conn was destroyed, with the limited amount of research I have done I have not seen another sax with markings on the bell like this one, so here is how the engravings look on the bell.

           Patd.Dec.8.1914
             1119954
                0   (C)?
               74244
                L
  And below that in a ribbon or scroll type etching is,
             Made by
           CG Conn Ltd   <..etched by hand
              Elkhart
                Ind
 all of this has a sort of floral design around it also done by hand.

Do you think you could give a rough estimate on its value, and could this sax contribute to rebuilding of the lost data
Again thank you very much for your time
   Hal Copeland

Answer
Hal,

I'm not a sax guy, but lets see where is here.  OK, on the patent, it would tell that it was made after 1914, and the serial number would place it at 1921.  L means it is low pitch - i.e. it would play with modern instruments.  

I wouldn't attempt to put a value to it, but old Conn saxes are generally respects as good quality horns, so people would likely be interested in it.