G. Leblanc Paris

[todao]

I have a Leblanc, circa 1939 or there about. It was my Dad's and I inherited it. I know nothing about it. No serial numbers, no identifying marks. I recently had it serviced and the owner told me it was a special clarinet because it had an extra left thumb key for an extra octave.
Anyone know of a site that can give me information on this? Where might I find the SN if its hidden.

[DaveLeBlanc]

I think 1939 is a little too early.  That thing on the back is the Stubbins Mechanism, meant for providing a more in tune Bb.
These were generally found in LeBlanc and Noblet models.
I would say it's more in the 1950s range, probably.

[todao]

The story was this was my Dad's High School Clarinet and for some reason it was given to him at the 1939 Worlds Fair.
Regardless, Thank you for the Stubbins!

[mechanic]

 I compared your picture to a Noblet / Stubbins, and yours has a different mechanism.  Prior to Leblanc using the Stubbins S/K mechanism, Leon Leblanc patented his own device in 1933.  Yours look like that model.

http://collections.nmmusd.org/News/Newsletter/August2010/ClarinetSoreThroat.html

The first 2 sets of pictures show the Subbins model, the third set has the Leblanc model.

The 1939 World's Fair story is probably true. I can't find the reference right now, but I believe Leblanc was one of the many musical instrument exhibitors / vendors at the 1939 World's Fair.

[Lisa]

Neat article, i enjoyed reading it, and the other links too.  thanks, mechanic.

[DaveLeBlanc]

Wow, I never ever knew that the Stubbins mechanism was around so early! Thanks for the sleuthing.

Also Todao: can you send some more pictures of the rest of it? You said there's no serial number which is probably true, but are there any numbers or markings underneath some of the key levers?

[noneyet]

Wow, I never ever knew that the Stubbins mechanism was around so early!

The Stubbins wasn't around that early. This a "patent B-Flat", not a Stubbins.