Leblanc A Clarinet

[GilliamWilbert]

Hi all, my name is Will and I am writing on here to hopefully get a few questions answered about this clarinet. This is a Leblanc Clarinet in the key of A, and features a Bb mechanism ( us pat 1926489 ) for venting the Bb key. It has the serial number '7673'. The clarinet is bare of any other markings besides the logo, which I believe is one of the pre 60s logos, but I could be wrong. I am trying to figure out if there is a specific model number for this clarinet, what year it may have been made around, and if there is something special about.

Thank you all for taking time to read this and if there are any questions, just let me know.

Will

[Windsong]

Welcome, Will!

The early logos are a bit sketchy--at best.  Even before LeBlanc stopped using the "G" placed above the "LeBlanc" on all sections (see included photo), they had allegedly begun the "G" on the same line as "LeBlanc" on the barrels and bells around 1954. 

To confuse matters further, there are accurate accounts of 8xxx serials, attributed to the mid-1950s LeBlancs that had "G" above "LeBlanc" on the upper joint and beside it on the lower joint--with matching serial numbers, no less!   

To my knowledge, there are still no accurate serial number charts for these, but there are those who know more than I do, and have kept their own records of subtle variations as they relate to serial numbers and key work features.  Also, if you dare, you may be able to contact the company and request the manufacture date.

My best guess, based upon your serial number, would be that your clarinet was made circa 1954*.  I have a 5xxx model made around 1951-1952, I am told, and Leblanc only made about 1500-2500 clarinets per year in the early days after WWII. 

*The issue that essentially blows this out of the water is that your clarinet IS equipped with the S-K mechanism (Stubbins-Kaspar).  While this patent was approved in 1950, it was not implemented by LeBlanc until 1959. 

Therefore, your clarinet was plausibly made in or after 1959.

[Windsong]

A little more digging has uncovered a LeBlanc patent from 1932 (granted in 1933) which seems to be essentially the same as the S-K feature, at least in terms of function, so I am truly confused.  Have a look:

[350 Rocket]

I have one known Leblanc sale date in my notes - fortunately, it's helpful.

6171 was originally purchased in April 1956, which would suggest 1957-58 for yours. It doesn't quite fit with when Leblanc is known to have started using the Stubbins mechanism, but it's something.

Model number... is a bit difficult to figure for sure. In 1958, the only Leblanc clarinet listed as being available in A was the 1076-3 Symphonie III. In 1959, both the Symphonie 3 and the 1176 Symphonie "L" were available in A. Yours doesn't have a model name stamped on it though.

[Windsong]

Rocket,
That is helpful.  That places my 5xxx a little later than I had been led to believe, but in the general realm.

Mine is also without a stamped model designation. Top and bottom joints have the G above Leblanc, and bell and barrel have the G beside it.