The ClarinetPages Forum

Well, look who doesn't have to go back to school to become an electrical engineer?  I would not have guessed such a well-developed unit existed, but it gets good reviews, and has been successfully used with a near identical radio to my own with strong endorement, so:

https://www.arbeiii.com/

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.

That is a nice Pedler metal clarinet, @Jeabrams.

This year got my feet wet by buying a René Dumont (Paris) metal clarinet. I got it because it was clean with original case, barrel joint and a mouthpiece. Appears possibly to be a low mileage one. Needs pads replaced and a few other touches. This is my first metal one.

I read somewhere that the US military bands of the time pre- to WW2 used metal clarinets.

I have to agree with you, @Jeabrams. I still have my 1965 LeBlanc Vito Bb soprano clarinet that started me on my woodwind journey in grade school, been overhauled a couple times. Even though student clarinets today like it sell for under $50 including shipping and tax, it still plays. My keeping it is more of a sentimental thing.

Last May, I bought a 1940's G. Penzel (Mueller Germany) Pacemaker Grenadilla wood intermediate clarinet in clean condition for $54 to restore. Last January I bought a René Dumont (Paris) metal Bb soprano clarinet in clean condition for $66 to restore. Bought white leather clarinet pads for the restoration. Although some 80 years old, I consider having these fun.

It occurs to me that if you like old instruments and want to keep them sound and functioning properly there not a thing wrong with them! I value my nearly and over 100 year old instruments and appreciate the difference in sound and quality so what ! I also have newer ones and like some qualities they have as well! The age of an instrument is not the point of the exercise - IMHO - it's the music and the personal experience of the music. So what if I like restoring old stuff and bringing them back to life! My shop my preference.... My perspective on what is valuable!

I would Like to add to Windsong's list if I may. I have had this instrument for most of the last fifty years - it is a pedler hoosier with full case, badge intact - serial #24555, stamped above the bell solder joint on the back of the instrument 24555 is also stamped into the underside of the F#C# key lever. The bell is engraved " Pedler Hoosier Elkhart Indiana" with Hoosier in larger lettering and the rest in smaller block text. I'll see about posting photos of it shortly....

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.

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.

Those are exceptional.  Well done.

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.