1953 Selmer Paris 23A Balanced Bb trumpet sn 12273

1953 Selmer Paris 23A Balanced Bb trumpet sn  12273  

This is a Selmer balanced model trumpet made in 1953.  Louis Armstrong and Harry James both played a Selmer Balanced model at some point in their careers.  This one is stamped 23A on the end of the leadpipe and the bore measures .458, which is considered medium -large bore.  

The silver plating is in very good condition and all indications are that this is the original plating.  There are a few nicks in the body in various locations but overall condition is very good.  In addition to the "balanced" location of the valve cluster, it  has  nickel-silver slide tubes and and an "underslung" third valve slide ring.

The valve compression was poor when we received this trumpet, so we sent it to Charlie Melk to have a complete valve replate/refit and a precision valve alignment.  

The valve casing, valve stems, spring barrels, top caps and bottom caps have matching numbers (61, 62, and 63) as was the practice with French made instruments.  The only exception is that the first valve bottom cap is not stamped 61.  It looks to be the same style as the others but is not stamped.  If this bottom cap is not original, it is a Selmer part and is the only non-original part on this horn.  Even the back side of the waterkeys are stamped "73", the last two digits of the serial number.  The case is in very good condition and although there is not a Selmer badge on the case, the style of the case looks correct for the era of this trumpet and it is likely the original case.  It has unusual latches which work well, but remind me of other French made cases.  

This trumpet is an excellent player and is obviously a collector quality instrument.