Yet Another Artley Identification thread :-)

[jricker3]

I recently picked up a flute at a local auction and am trying to get info on it.

It is an Artley model 5-0-B with the silver head(?). Sorry, I am a sax player and don't know flute terminology. It is open hole and does have the low b (b-flat?) foot.

I am trying to figure date of manufacture and also get a ballpark on value. The serial number is 703288. Looking at the serial number web pages I could not find anything relating to this series of serial numbers. Additionally, it says Artley USA, but does not give any indication of a city of manufacture. I could not find serial numbers on any section except for the main body, and it was stamped directly under the logo and model number. Also, the silver stamping is at the base of the head right by the joint.

The overall condition is fairly good. The pads and springs are in good shape and the action is level. There is some tarnishing, and 3 of the keys show signs of regular use. Finally, the foot joint is a bit loose... just enough that you can feel a bit of rocking.

Any information you can pass on would be appreciated.

[pied_piper]

The Artley brand was acquired by the Conn-Selmer company in 1969. Conn-Selmer maintains a serial number list, but sometimes they are not terribly precise. https://www.conn-selmer.com/en-us/about ... ers/artley
Their list stops short of the serial number you listed.

There is also a brief history of Artley here:
https://ourpastimes.com/the-history-of- ... 85661.html

[jricker3]

Thanks for the response. I did find the various sites with serial numbers but was confused by the switch to prefixes while still in the 6xx,xxx range.

643980-656814 1982
656815-677772 & Prefix "33" 1983
677773-687751 & Prefix "34" 1984

The above would indicate (based on serial number alone) a production date to about 1985 or 1986. However, without the prefix I have been scratching my head.

Is there any evidence that other post 1982 instruments made it out of the factory without prefixes stamped?

[pied_piper]

Welcome to confusion. The serial number lists are notoriously inconsistent. Since you obviously have a flute with a number higher than the list documents, the only reasonable conclusion is what you stated and probably was made around 1985.