The remaining numbers are a monthly serial number. For example, my C clarinet was made by Conn and has serial number C95887L. 'C' indicates it's a C clarinet (I think), '95887' means it was manufactured sometime around 1922, and 'L' means it was built to a'=440. Serial number conn-emezazuges’s blog. Serial number conn-emezazuges’s blog. Emezazuges’s diary 2018-01-18. Serial number conn. The existing serial number chart showed a range from 5601 to 7850. By simple subtraction, 2249 saxophones were allegedly built in 1927. A search of the actual shipping dates for this serial number range revealed the following. Serial Numbers: 83xxxx and higher, Later models have a neck brace and 7 digit serial numbers. Identifiable by the elongated pearl RH alternative F# key; the bent brass high F# key and the AS/TS110 stamp on the bell. Also notice the neck stiffener under the neck which is smooth and does not have a crease like the Paris horns.

• Conn Trombone Serial Number Chart
• Conn Saxophone Serial Number Chart
• Conn Clarinet Serial Number Chart

With how many Normandy Reso-Tones I’ve come across, I felt it would be worthwhile to put something together on them as what little information is out there is incomplete. I’ll cover the early Vitos here eventually as well. A serial number chart is at the bottom of the page.

The first plastic Normandy was the Model 11, made in France. These seem to be rare, although there was a Noblet 11 sold in Europe that is almost certainly the same thing. This page is for the Model 14, the familiar Reso-Tone model made in Kenosha.

According to a court case between G. Leblanc and H.&A. Selmer, Leblanc began using the Reso-Tone name in September 1953. It’s unclear, however, if this refers to the Normandy 11 or 14. The 11 was not marked Reso-Tone, but others call it such. Given the seemingly low production of the 11, I’m assuming a mid-1954 introduction for the 14 knowing I can’t be more than a year off.

There are two distinct “series” of the Reso-Tone. The first series uses a shoulderless pivot screw with a setscrew to lock it in place (like what’s used on a Conn). The second series used conventional shoulderless pivots with a dab of locking compound, as is still used today on the Vito. Serial numbers were re-set for the second series, which is why I use this as the defining factor.

There were several variants within each series. Pedantic? Yes, but a couple of the changes were rather significant.

Pictured from left to right: each variant of the series 1 Reso-Tone, except 1E.

Series 1A: Trill keys mounted on three sets of posts, rounded shield with a serifed “Normandy” script, setscrew for A/D key on “back” side of post.

Series 1B: Same as the above, but with a shouldered pivot screw for the A/D key. (It’s possible the one example I’ve seen had the post replaced as it’s rather odd that Leblanc would’ve downgraded to this, but I can’t see why anyone would’ve used that for a replacement either, when a normal post would’ve been readily available.)

Series 1C: Trill keys mounted on three sets of posts, narrower and more pointed shield still with the serifed script. A/D key setscrew on the visible side of the post. A setscrew was added to the F# a bit later on.

Series 1D: Trill keys mounted on four sets of posts, wide C trill key arm with rectangular cutout for B trill keycup.

Series 1E: Sans-serif “Normandy” script with cursive “Reso-Tone”.

Series 1F: Same as above with slim C trill arm.

Conn Trombone Serial Number Chart

The Series 2 eliminated the setscrews but was mostly unchanged. The first variant had oval touchpieces on the low E/B and F/C levers (later used on the Vito Reso II/Reso-Tone 2 and Holton 633 Collegiate). The second switched back to conventional touchpieces and is mechanically indistinguishable from a later Vito.

The three different logos used on the Reso-Tone.

Serial numbers:

Conn Saxophone Serial Number Chart

I base the 1963 introduction date of the Vito on the aforementioned court case, from 1962, which states that the Reso-Tone name was only used in conjunction with Normandy. No mention is made of Vito clarinets in that case, and the examples I’ve seen fit into a 1963 introduction. The Vito Reso II was introduced in 1963, so the question is whether or not the Vito Reso-Tone was launched simultaneously.

The Normandy Reso-Tone appears to have been discontinued at the end of 1965. The 1966 price list does not include it, and I have seen Normandy Reso-Tone basses built in 1965 per Leblanc’s own documentation. 1966 saw the introduction of the Vito Reso-Tone 3 to replace the original Vito Reso-Tone, and the Reso-Tone 2 to replace the Reso II.

Conn Clarinet Serial Number Chart

A chart from 1972 onward can be found at ClarinetPerfection.com. I don’t have enough information to make a reliable chart for the Reso II, but by all indications it had a production run of only a few thousand instruments from 1963-65. I don’t yet know if the initial run of Holton Collegiate falls under these charts. The CL-602/604 that were reintroduced in 1977 have Vito serial numbers, but it’s difficult to track the 630 and 633 models of the 1960s.

The 7114 (Lyre logo) was introduced in 1970, relegating the Reso-Tone 3 to second-tier status, so I suspect that’s when the Model 12 Reso-Tone 2 disappeared.

I don’t know where the mysterious Clari-Tone model fits in, except that it entered production in 1964 based on its trademark application and it doesn’t appear in the 1974 price list. I can’t even figure out what the point of it was, as all they did was change two key mounting posts, it’s otherwise identical to a Reso-Tone.