I hope I am posting in the correct sub forum... if not, feel free to move it.
First question is, is it possible to replace either the bottom caps on the main valve block or possibly the whole block? The reason I ask is, I would like to have a gutter guard on the bottom of the caps to catch the water which is currently ending up all over the instrument and my trousers. The caps on a Besson Sovereign are built to accommodate a gutter guard. If it is possible, who would I send it to in the USA? I know McQueen is highly rated in the UK, but just the shipping costs and the turn around time would be a problem. I hope you expert can help me out here.
Second question, I have been trying to put a manufacture date on my B & H Imperial but I have a problem. I have two numbers which could possibly be the serial number . I have added pictures so you can see what I am talking about. First there is the number L.P. 182203 stamped on the bell, and there is the number 143535 stamped on the second valve. The L.P. 182203 would make it a 1952 manufacture date, but I suspect the L.P. could stand for lead pipe, but I don't know why they would stamp a lead pipe number on the bell though. I lean toward the 143535 number on the second valve casing which would make it manufactured in 1933.
I have owned a 1997 Besson Sovereign and it did not hold a candle to this instrument for that beautiful dark, rich tone. I have always heard experts say...stay away from older instrument because the are out of tune on certain notes. Well, there is not one note out of tune on the old timer, but the Besson had a couple.