Is it marked with a “4″ above the shield, becuase if it isn’t it would be an original Normandy clarinet (circa 1952-1953) if the sheild is narrow or late 50′s-60′s if the sheild is wide. I’ve never heard of a “4″ with a serial number that low. From what I have seen the Original Normandy (narrow sheilds with 4 digit serial numbers) where made only two or three years. They were followed by a wider sheild horn with went for a little while longer (5 digit serial numbers) with a closed hole pleateau horn thrown in there somewhere (late 50′s). Followed by the “specials” (50-60′s), the resotones (60′s-70′s), the Normandy 4 which is 70′s, the Normandy 7 which is 80′s and the Normandy 10 which is out now. I’d personally recomend anything except the resotones.
There is some interesting history on the manufacture of these horns. The name comes as an American honoring of the invasion on Normandy beach. They manufactured these horns in France, shipped them in pieces (cheaper tarriff) to Kenosha WI where they were reassemebled and sold to American school band programs as an intermediate level horn. I have my mother’s which was purchased for her in the 5th grade in Michigan, serial number 4554, my step daughter now plays it (she’s the 4th clarinet player for that horn including mom, her neice, me and the kid). I have never had a tuning problem with that horn and it has went through hell with me with 15+ years of heavy use.
Now for value….$100 if it’s good, but in need a repad, up to $400 if it has been professional overhauled/replated. The instrument is definatly worth more in the hands of a good player. My college clarinet professer passed it as a good performance horn for the music major (but not a performance major).
Posted: February 14th, 2010 under Normandy FAQ.
Comments: 1
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