Jerome La ... who?

[EasyG]

Todays mystery purchase.
On the Bell, I can make out Jerome La ...  I think it says Bourge.  But, can't quite make it out.  I think it says Paris under it.

Wrap around key.  It needs a LOT of cleanup.

Thoughts? 

[Windsong]

I give up.  I tried Bourel, Roubel, Boubel, etc.  I see what appears to be a Phantom stamp, which I believe says "JTL";  Ironic (or perhaps not) since the first (and perhaps only) french "Jerome" involved in clarinets that comes to mind was Thibouville-Lamy.
This could be a "seconds" JTL. 

I would be interested if you can confirm that the bell is stamped high and right of the more prominent stamp with "JTL".

[Windsong]

I believe it says:

"Jerome La Boussey"

How does the rest of the horn look? 

You said it has a spiral register key, so we are talking 100 years old or better.

I suspect it also has no adjustment on throat Ab, and probably only one lower trill post, etc. 

[EasyG]

The lower looks decent.  The upper has a long crack that needs attention. 
The barrel has cracks on opposite sides, so I think that the rings are what are holding it together.

I will try to clean it up a bit tonight and get some decent photos.

There is definitely a J, as you pointed out, but I can't make out anything beyond that.
Jerome La Boussey is as good a guess as any, but I don't think that the 4th letter is an S.  I do think that the 5th letter is an S. 
Bou*s*

I am hoping a good cleaning will reveal more.

[EasyG]

Here's a photo of the name after cleaning.  That J mysteriously disappeared. 
It definitely ends in GE.  I am 60/40 whether the first letter is a B or an R.  So, I am going to say that this is a Jérome La Bourge.  I still have found ZERO reference to this name.  Now, on to cleaning the rest of the clarinet and then I'll post more photos.

[Windsong]

Yes indeed.  I see the bottom of a "B" faintly imprinted in the 1st letter.  It is reasonable to assume that the tops of Bs and Rs would be similarly sculpted.

So "BOURGE"(?)

I came up empty handed too.  A rare stencil, with no internet recognition, eh?  Could be valuable.  I look forward to seeing the keywork. There are undoubtedly clues ahead.

[EasyG]

Here's photos of the upper.  I just noticed that the upper bridge is broken and missing. 

[EasyG]

Here's the lower.

[Windsong]

Thanks for all the photos.

Your clarinet appears to be from 1918-1921.

Oof.  That broken upper bridge key might be tricky to replace. 

Please measure the total length of the rod assembly, between posts.  Is it 2 9/32" (58mm)?  If it is, I think I may have one for you.

[EasyG]

It measures 56.5mm

[Windsong]

Very close.

If you can shave 1.5mm from the top of the rod without creating alignment issues, I may have your solution.

Your clarinet looks indistinguishable from a parts Henry Gunckel clarinet I have from the same period.  It's yours for shipping if you have any interest. 

Alternately, you may be able to graft a bridge actuator to the upper key from any old horn to restore function.

[EasyG]

I appreciate the offer and may take you up on it.

How close is the hook for the spring on it to the post with the spring?  If the hook is too far from the end, it hits the post underneath it? 
I tried a key from a Hard Rubber Malerne and it was hitting. 
I measure this one as 16.5mm from the nearest end of the rod to the far end of the spring hook. 
(Sorry, I am terrible with terminology.)

[Windsong]

I understand exactly what you mean, and this Henry Gunckel, from the nearest end of the rod to the far end of the spring hook is exactly 17mm, so that is almost perfect, since you will have to shave the rod slightly, anyway.

Your needle spring is probably just fine as is, but you could shorten it slightly, as needed.