Besson Serial #'s

[tom10i]

Besson Serial #'s

Hi cheef,

Here's how my late 1980's model 967 is stamped: 967 - 764xxx. So the first three digits are in fact the model number and then for the years in question, a six or seven digit number, usually six numbers, is the serial number.

Hope that is of some help.

Tom Friedman
Tallahassee Winds

[playinstrong]

Besson Serial #'s

Hi I have a trumpet with the serial number 609-804286 is there anything that you guys can tell me about it?

[Merrifield57]

Besson Serial #'s

Hello Dave

I have a Besson Brevete and am trying to find out a little about it. It has a number on the removable bell of 6082, and a serial number on the main horn 206082 with numbers on the valves 1st 109, 2nd 110, and 3rd 111. Cound you maybe give me some perspective as to the possible age of it. It also has on the bell, "Made in England".



Als, is the size the same when it says European mouthpiece and British mouthpiece (Bore).



Thanks you for your time, Bill

[Merrifield57]

Also Dave,Besson Serial #'s

Also Dave,

My horn also has the extra "U" shaped tubing on the back of valves 1 and 2 or 109 and 110. Thanks

Several years ago, my wife gave me a present which you may be interested in learning about. It is a Belgium made 90 degree valved trombone which I play occassionally. It was made to be used in European Opera Houses because of the close quarters in the band pit.

[Gallenod]

Besson Serial #'s

Bill,

I'm not sure if Boosey & Co. numbers apply, but if they do the attached chart would suggest that a horn with the serial number you list would have been made around 1955.

(Hopefully the chart attached.)

Hopefully someone with more knowledge can confirm whether or not this chart applies.

Dale

[frknl]

Besson Serial #'s

Hello,

Came across an older silver Besson euphonium today. It plays but could use a little work. Not sure if its worth it. It seems small but is a Bb horn (it looks like it should be about Eb though). Its serial # is 36XXX which seems to not be on the above chart (and I am sure its not pre 1890!).

Anyway, its a "Bechstein" and under the Bessson boilerplate info it has C. Fischer and their address.

Stamped into one valve is the serial number and it says Besson Brevetee.

I have a Besson cornet from the '70's that I like a lot but don't know much about bari/euphoniums.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks!

[fsung]

Besson Serial #'s

It's possible (but unlikely--see below) that Fischer re-numbered their instruments after receiving them, but in the absence of documentation showing that to be the case, an early 1890s date appears to be correct.

In the B&H archive, which are housed at the Horniman Museum in London, serial numbers in the 36xxx range appear in Workshop Order Book 'Instruments brass 3' (E82.84) A227/047," which dates from Jan 1, 1888-Dec 31, 1892. Additionally, the final brass instrument serial number in Band Instrument Stock Book for 1882-1885 is 32097, while the first serial number in the BISB for 3 Aug 1895-20 Dec 1899 is 47298.

The Gilpin Society's Journal of surviving 19th-century F. Besson and Besson & Co London-stamped brass instruments lists an Eb cornet, s/n 32813 (c. 1884), as "The lowest-numbered surviving valved instrument stamped 'C. FISCHER,' " so an 1890s date would not be inconsistent with the C. Fischer engraving.

Since you seem to be sure that the instrument is not pre-1890, is it possible that the serial number is (X)36xxx rather than simply 36xxx, where (X) = 1 or 2? 136xxx would be in the 1928-1931 range, and 236xxx would be Feb 1956-Jan 1957 range (which might be later the terminus ad quem of C. Fischer's agency as importer: I have a 1958 Besson catalog that lists Bruno and Son as the importer, and I'm fairly certain that Selmer USA was that B&H importer during the '50s).

[frknl]

Besson Serial #'s

Heya,

Thanks much for your time. I appreciate it. I shouldn't have said "sure" as I am not so expert. It just seems to be in remarkably good shape to be that old but the serial # is definitely 36XXX.

Gave it a good bath today and some valve oil and it plays really well.

Thanks again for the info.

Cheers!

[fsung]

Besson Serial #'s

Originally posted by: frknl
It just seems to be in remarkably good shape to be that old but the serial # is definitely 36XXX.

Of course, there's always the possibility that a previous owner had it overhauled and restored somewhere along the line. There are repair techs doing some amazing work out there. Check out the Dan Oberloh's work on the 19th century Distin Superior and Lyon & Healy cornets toward the bottom of the page.

[Nuck81]

Besson Serial #'s

Originally posted by: fsung

Originally posted by: frknl It just seems to be in remarkably good shape to be that old but the serial # is definitely 36XXX.

Of course, there's always the possibility that a previous owner had it overhauled and restored somewhere along the line. There are repair techs doing some amazing work out there. Check out the Dan Oberloh's work on the 19th century Distin Superior and Lyon & Healy cornets toward the bottom of the page.

This one looks simply amazing.