Up for sale is a beautiful, complete "closet find" vintage 1925 Buescher True Tone tenor saxophone estate lot, proudly manufactured in Elkhart, Indiana, USA. This historic, golden-era jazz horn features a stunning and intricate hand-engraved floral design on the front bell alongside the classic cursive brand script.
The reverse side of the tube is stamped with its official production details: serial number 174961, the iconic "True-Tone" arrow trademark logo, "Low Pitch" calibration tuning, and the December 8, 1914 patent license mark.
Please note that this entire lot is being sold as-is for parts, repair, overhaul, or restoration. Mechanically, the instrument has a great foundation as all the keys and buttons move freely without sticking. However, it will require mechanical attention before it is performance-ready; specifically, the metal octave key mechanism brace on the curved neck tube is broken completely in half and detached, and some of the aged leather pads will need to be replaced.
What is Included:
1925 Buescher True Tone Tenor Saxophone Body
Original Curved Neck Piece (Note: broken octave key mechanism)
Original "The Buescher" Stamped Black Hard Rubber Mouthpiece
Two Vintage Lyre Sheet Music Clamps
Assorted Vintage Reed Blanks (J.A. Nuccio boxes)
Original Purple Velvet Lined Hardwood Carrying Case (Featuring vintage "J.E. Broyles Musical Instruments, Shreveport, LA" dealer badge)
Specifications:
Brand: Buescher Band Instrument Co.
Model: True Tone
Instrument Type: Tenor Saxophone
Serial Number: 174961 (Dates production to approximately 1925)
Tuning System: Low Pitch (A=440Hz standard)
Finish: Satin Silver Plate with Bright Silver Accents
Mouthpiece Material: Vintage Hard Rubber / Ebonite
Country of Manufacture: United States (Elkhart, IND.)
Cosmetic and Structural Condition:
The saxophone is in worn, unpolished vintage condition. The silver plating exhibits widespread natural oxidation tarnish, dark spotting, and handling wear across the main tubing sections and individual key touchpieces. While the keys actuate smoothly, some of the leather pads and internal key bumper corks are aged, dried out, and need replacement.
The hard rubber mouthpiece exhibits heavy surface oxidation, fading, light teeth indents, and calcification residue. As noted, the silver-plated neck tube has a completely broken and severed octave key guide mechanism brace that requires professional soldering or rebuilding.
The original wood case remains structurally sound and retains its vibrant deep purple velvet interior padding, though the external black fabric skin shows significant shelf scuffing, tearing, edge fraying, peeling, and tarnish on the metal corner guards and latches. Please look closely at all provided high-resolution photographs to evaluate the exact cosmetic and mechanical project condition of this vintage horn lot.